MARS HILL, N.C. – The King University baseball team scored three runs in the top of the eighth to win a 9-8 road contest at Mars Hill.
Nathan Borchardt went 3-for-3, with a double and a home run for the Tornado.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 9, Mars Hill 8
LOCATION: Henderson Field; Mars Hill, N.C.
KING HIGHLIGHTS
HOW IT HAPPENED
- King started the scoring in the first inning, as Starrs drew a one-out walk, eventually scoring when Joe Amunategui III grounded out, giving the Tornado a 1-0 lead.
- After Mars Hill responded in the bottom of the frame, they added three more in the bottom of the third, taking a 4-1 lead.
- Amunategui III started the fourth with a single, eventually scoring when Patrick Corley hit a sacrifice fly to right field, cutting the Mars Hill lead to 4-2.
- The Mountain Lions then responded in the bottom of the inning to take a 5-2 advantage.
- Borchardt picked up an RBI in the fifth, doubling down the right field line, allowing Ruiz to score.
- The next batter was Levi Medford, who hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Starrs to score, bringing King to within 5-4.
- In the sixth inning, Corley was hit by a pitch with one out, scoring when Jacob Eargle singled to right field, tying the game at five before Starrs doubled a couple batters later to give King a 6-5 lead.
- After the Mountain Lions scored twice to re-take the lead, it took King until the eighth inning to take what would end up being the final lead.
- Conner Hyatt started with a one-out walk, advancing to second on a Jose Ruiz infield single.
- After Starrs doubled to score Hyatt, Borchardt stepped up to the plate and hit a two-run home run to left field, giving King the 9-8 lead with one swing of the bat.
- Mars Hill was able to get a runner to third with two outs in the ninth, but Cole Pletcher got a game-ending strikeout.
FOR THE FOES
- Elec Yount was 3-for-4, with three runs scored and a double.
- Peyton Starkey was 2-for-3, with four RBI and two doubles.
OF RECORD
Winning Pitcher: Royal Philo (2-3) 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 Er, 0 BB, 2 SO
Losing Pitcher: JD Lewis (0-1) 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO
Save:
Cole Pletcher (3) 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
UP NEXT
- King will travel to take on Emmanuel this weekend.
