WILSON, N.C. — The King University baseball team's season came to an end Friday afternoon, as they fell to UNC Pembroke 11-7in the Conference Carolinas Tournament. The loss ends the season for the Tornado, who conclude with a record of 24-22.
THE BASICS
Final Score: No. 2 UNC Pembroke 11, No. 6 King 7
Location: Fleming Stadium; Wilson, N.C.
Records: UNC Pembroke 37-14; King 24-22
KING HIGHLIGHTS
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Braves didn't waste any time in scoring, plating a pair of runs in the top of the first to take an early lead.
- The bottom of the second is where King did damage, scoring four runs on six hits.
- After Preston Steele started the inning with a single, Zachary Thomas doubled, bringing in Steele to cut the lead to 2-1.
- A couple batters later, Hilliard tied the game with a single to right center field to score Thomas. Roper and Davis Hall would then hit back-to-back RBI singles to give King the 4-2 advantage.
- UNC Pembroke would retake the lead in the top of the third on a three-run home run that put them in front 5-4. The Braves would extend their lead in the fourth, scoring two more runs to pull ahead 7-4.
- After the UNCP lead extended to 11-4, the Tornado scored a run in the bottom of the sixth, as Davis Hall singled to right field, allowing Hilliard to score and make it a 11-5 game.
- In the eighth, the Tornado inched even closer, as Caleb Helms led off with a single before Hilliard hit a two-run home run to left field to get the Tornado to within 11-7.
OF RECORD
Winning Pitcher: Branden Kunz (9-1) 5.2 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
Losing Pitcher:
Ray Berry (5-5) 4.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 Er, 1 BB, 2 SO
Save: Rhett James (3) 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO
FOR THE FOES
- Bobby Dixon was 4-for-5, with a pair of home runs and six RBI for the Braves.
- Rhett James threw 3.1 relief inning, allowing a pair of runs and striking out six batters.
UP NEXT
- King finishes the season with a record of 24-22.
- UNC Pembroke advances to play another elimination game Saturday at 11 a.m.
