BRISTOL, Tenn. – King University baseball returned to King Baseball Field on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, battling Emory & Henry in a tight, low-scoring matchup that stayed competitive from the opening inning to the final out. Despite a late push and strong work from the bullpen, the Tornado came up just short, falling 4–3 in the midweek contest.
Game Breakdown
Final: Emory & Henry 4, King 3
Location: King Baseball Field | Bristol, Tenn.
Attendance: 131
Time: 3:00
How It Happened
Wasps Strike Early
Emory & Henry wasted no time generating offense in the top of the first.
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- Rodriguez scored on a sharp RBI single down the left-field line from K. Fields.
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- Park followed with a double to the same spot, driving in Fields.
- A defensive miscue allowed D. Park to score, giving the Wasps a quick 3–0 advantage.
King threatened in the bottom half but couldn't push a run across, and the early deficit held through the second inning.
Regan Sparks the Tornado in the Third
The Tornado broke through in the third with their biggest swing of the afternoon.
With two aboard, Tommy Regan turned on a pitch and ripped a double into left field, scoring Logan Janney and Christopher Rosario to cut the deficit to 3–2.
Momentum briefly shifted toward King as starter Connor Haynes settled in, retiring the side in order in the top of the third.
Emory & Henry Adds Insurance
The Wasps added what proved to be the decisive run in the fourth when J. Rodriguez singled up the middle to score J. Hoppes, extending the lead to 4–2.
From there, King's bullpen took control.
Bhraedon Meredith delivered two hitless innings with four strikeouts, and the combination of Willis, Goldsmith, Pomeroy, and Webster kept Emory & Henry off the board the rest of the way.
Tornado Push in the Fifth
King clawed closer in the fifth.
A passed ball allowed Mitchell Victor to score from third, trimming the deficit to 4–3.
Rosario advanced to third on the play, but the Tornado couldn't bring him home, leaving the tying run stranded.
Pitching Duel Down the Stretch
Both teams traded scoreless frames from the sixth inning on.
Emory & Henry's bullpen trio of Delp, Hollar, and Rodriguez held King to just one hit over the final four innings, while King's relievers matched them pitch for pitch.
The Tornado brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Rodriguez closed the door to earn the save.
Pitching Notes
Tornado Standouts
What's Next
King continues its February slate on Friday, Feb. 20, traveling to Southern Wesleyan University for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch.
