GASTONIA, N.C. | The Young Harris College Mountain Lions put together a complete performance when it mattered most, defeating No. 1 seed North Greenville 13-0 to capture the Conference Carolinas Baseball Championship on Monday afternoon at CaroMont Health Park.
Young Harris finished the tournament with a 4-1 record, opening play on April 30 with a 1:01 p.m. start against UNC Pembroke before working through a competitive bracket that tested both its offense and pitching depth. The Mountain Lions secured an extra-inning win to begin the tournament, followed with a key victory over North Greenville, earned a shutout in the semifinals, and responded to their only loss with their most decisive performance of the tournament in the championship game, which began at 1:00 p.m.
The combination of timely hitting and controlled pitching allowed Young Harris to stay consistent throughout the tournament and close with a result that secured the conference title.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
Game One: Young Harris 5, UNC Pembroke 4 (10 innings)
Young Harris opened tournament play with a 10-inning win over UNC Pembroke, using early offense and late execution to secure the result. The Mountain Lions took the lead in the second inning on back-to-back home runs from Jackson Morgan and Jack Enrico. UNC Pembroke responded and tied the game in the eighth inning before Young Harris produced the go-ahead run in the 10th on a sacrifice fly to end the game.
- Jack Enrico went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, and three RBIs.
- Jackson Morgan hit a home run, scored two runs, and reached base three times.
- Cole Molina earned the win with two scoreless innings in relief.
- Austin Ritchie pitched seven innings, allowing two runs and striking out four.
Game Two: Young Harris 11, North Greenville 3
Young Harris followed with an 11-3 win over North Greenville, using a six-run third inning to take control. After trailing 2-0 in the first inning, the Mountain Lions responded with consistent offense, highlighted by a grand slam that gave them the lead and momentum for the remainder of the game.
- Jeo Hernandez recorded three hits and four RBIs.
- Jack Enrico hit a grand slam and finished with four RBIs.
- Carlos Martans collected three hits, drove in two runs, and scored twice.
- Sydney Ward hit a home run and scored three runs.
- Sam Neal pitched seven innings, allowing three runs and striking out five.
Game Three: Young Harris 12, Belmont Abbey 0
In the semifinals, Young Harris earned a 12-0 shutout over Belmont Abbey. The Mountain Lions scored in multiple innings before breaking the game open with a six-run seventh inning. The pitching staff limited Belmont Abbey to five hits and did not allow a run.
Game Four: North Greenville 9, Young Harris 4
Young Harris fell 9-4 in a rematch with North Greenville. The Mountain Lions recorded nine hits and scored in the fourth, sixth, and eighth innings, but North Greenville used multiple scoring innings to build separation.
Championship Game: Young Harris 13, North Greenville 0
Young Harris secured the Conference Carolinas Championship with a 13-0 win over North Greenville, using early offense and a decisive sixth inning to separate. Drew Bray and Jeo Hernandez each hit a home run in the first inning to give the Mountain Lions an early lead. After adding two runs in the fifth, Young Harris scored nine runs in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.
The pitching staff held North Greenville to four hits and did not allow a run.
- Drew Bray recorded four hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs.
- Jeo Hernandez hit a home run, recorded two RBIs, and scored three runs.
- Jackson Morgan finished with three hits and two RBIs.
- Kade Smallwood drove in three runs on a double in the sixth inning.
- Austin Ritchie earned the win with three scoreless innings.
- Trey Griffin pitched four scoreless innings to close the game and secure the championship.
UP NEXT:
Young Harris continues its postseason run following the conference championship and will await its placement in the Southeast Regional selection show.
