Box Score BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University baseball team was topped by Emmanuel College in an offensive battle in game one of a Conference Carolinas three-game series. The Lions were able to grab an early advantage that left the Tornado chasing to catch up through nine innings of play. Despite an Austin Dayton three-run home run in the final inning King was unable to rally to successfully catch the Lions in the end, falling 15-10.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Emmanuel 15, King 10
LOCATION: King Baseball Field; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 12-22, 5-11 Conference Carolinas; Emmanuel 4-28, 3-13 Conference Carolinas
TIME OF GAME: 3:17
King Starting Lineup
1. Nicolas Kester - CF
2. Mark Hecken – C
3. Ryan Whitt - LF
4. Ryan Sattz - DH
5. Dylan Sligh – 1B
6. Preston Douglas - RF
7. Tyler Bailey – 2B
8. Austin Dayton – 3B
9. Joe Ganger – SS
Starting Pitcher: RHP Gus Gill
Erskine Starting Lineup
1. Brandon Bostick - CF
2. Trent Jones - SS
3. Hanon Price - LF
4. Brady Burgess - C
5. Eric Pape - DH
6. Parker Runnels – 1B
7. Stephen Skeggs - RF
8. Brock Baughcum – 3B
9. Chaise Parker – 2B
Starting Pitcher: RHP Aaron Westbury
KING HIGHLIGHTS
- Tyler Bailey went four-for-four from the plate for the Tornado, including one double and also drove in one run.
- Austin Dayton posted his sixth home run of the season, tallying three runs batted in.
- Preston Douglas recorded three hits and accounted for two runs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Defense was the game for the first three innings for both teams, as each team did not allow the other more than one hit an inning.
- Emmanuel finally broke through in the fourth inning fueled by a three-run home run, as they went on to tallying six runs in the inning.
- The Tornado also jumped on the scoreboard in the fourth after Preston Douglas doubled to right field and then scored of a Lions throwing error to first base.
- The Lions returned to the plate with the hot hand posting three runs on four hits to advance their lead to 9-1.
- King then tacked another run on the board after Nicolas Keister tripled to left center and then scored on a Mark Hencken sacrifice fly, now trailing 9-2 through five.
- Emmanuel attempted to stay hot in the sixth inning, posting two hits but Cody Hahn was able to slow the Lions on the mound for the Tornado.
- The Tornado again rallied with one run in the sixth when Bailey singled up the middle scoring Ryan Sattz who was earlier walked as they went into the seventh inning down 9-3.
- The Lions then posted three runs in the seventh on two hits, including one after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, to take a 12-3 advantage.
- In the bottom of the seventh the Tornado tallied another run when Dylan Sligh singled up the right side, scoring Whitt who was earlier walked.
- On the mound, Mitch Stophel lifted the Tornado defense to three quick outs in the eighth, forcing three easy pop-ups from the Lions.
- King then began to rally in the eighth inning, starting with a Hencken double that Bailey who had earlier doubled and Dayton who was earlier hit by a pitch. The Tornado then scored another run of a Ryan Whitt single up the middle that scored Hencken, closing in on the Lions lead 12-7.
- Emmanuel immediately answered back scoring three runs in the final inning as the Tornado went into the final innings working with a 15-7 disadvantage.
- Dayton then ripped a three-run home run in an attempt to close in on the Emmanuel lead but the Lions halted the Tornado run, taking a 15-10 victory.
FOR THE FOES
- Chaise Parker led the Lions with four hits, tallying two runs, and driving in two runners.
- Parker Runnels posted a home run for Emmanuel and drove in three runs.
- Eric Paper recorded a double and three runs batted in, off three hits.
OF RECORD
Winning Pitcher: Aaron Westbury (1-6) 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO
Losing Pitcher: Gus Gill (3-3) 4.2 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
UP NEXT
- King and Emmanuel wrap up their three game Conference Carolinas series with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch from King Baseball Field is slated for 12:00 p.m.
