BRISTOL, Tenn. — In a game packed with momentum swings, clutch swings, and late-inning drama, King University baseball went toe-to-toe with Mars Hill on Wednesday afternoon before ultimately falling 10–9 in a ten-inning thriller at the King Baseball Field. The Tornado pounded out 10 hits, erased multiple deficits, and forced extras with a ninth-inning rally, but the Lions capitalized late to escape with the win.
FIRST INNING FIREWORKS SET THE TONE
Lions Strike First With Pressure and Patience
Mars Hill opened the game by manufacturing three runs without a hit, using two hit-by-pitches, a walk, and an infield error to jump ahead 3–0. C. Potts, M. Rubiera, and C. Matson all came around to score as the Lions applied early pressure.
Tornado Respond With Four-Run Surge
King answered immediately — and emphatically.
Logan Janney doubled to spark the offense, and Josh Nuno ripped an RBI double to center to put King on the board. Mason Meinke followed with a run-scoring double down the right-field line, and Tommy Regan capped the inning with a two-run double to center, giving the Tornado a 4–3 lead after just one inning.
BACK-AND-FORTH BATTLE THROUGH THE MIDDLE INNINGS
Nuno Stays Hot, Extends Lead in the Second
Jose Ruiz reached to start the second, and Nuno delivered again, lining a run-scoring single to make it 5–3 King.
Mars Hill Regains Momentum in the Third
The Lions responded with three runs of their own. A throwing error allowed one run to score, and Y. Pastrana's two-run double to right put Mars Hill back in front, 6–5.
Aguilar's Fifth-Inning Blast Stretches the Lead
Mars Hill added two more in the fifth when A. Aguilar launched a two-run homer to left, extending the Lions' advantage to 8–5.
TORNADO REFUSE TO GO AWAY
Sixth-Inning Execution Pulls King Within One
King chipped away in the sixth with textbook situational hitting:
Both runs scored unearned, trimming the deficit to 8–7.
Richardson Delivers the Big Swing
In the seventh, Kale Richardson stepped up and crushed a solo home run to left, tying the game 8–8 and igniting the Tornado dugout.
NINTH-INNING DRAMA ON BOTH SIDES
Mars Hill scratched across a run in the top of the ninth on a C. Potts RBI single, reclaiming a 9–8 lead.
But King refused to fold.
With two on and one out, Mitchell Victor chopped an infield single to third, scoring Jake Witcher and tying the game 9–9 to force extras.
EXTRA INNINGS: LIONS CAPITALIZE, TORNADO COME UP JUST SHORT
In the top of the tenth, Mars Hill's M. LaLime doubled down the right-field line to score C. Matson, giving the Lions a 10–9 edge.
King brought the tying run aboard in the bottom half, but Mars Hill closer D. Dunlap recorded the final outs to seal the win.
TORNADO OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
- Josh Nuno: 2-for-5, double, 3 RBI
- Kale Richardson: 1-for-3, HR, 2 BB, 1 RBI, 1 R
- Mitchell Victor: 2-for-5, RBI
- Mason Meinke: 1-for-4, double, RBI
- Tommy Regan: 1-for-5, double, 2 RBI
- Jose Ruiz: 2 runs, stolen base
King finished with 10 hits, including four doubles and Richardson's seventh-inning homer.
PITCHING NOTES
Despite a challenging day on the mound, the Tornado bullpen kept King within striking distance:
Connor Haynes (0–1) took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the tenth.
A GAME OF HEART, RESILIENCE, AND OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
Even in defeat, King showcased:
- A relentless offense capable of scoring in bunches
- Clutch hitting in late-game situations
- Improved situational execution
- A dugout that never stopped believing
The Tornado fought through early adversity, erased multiple deficits, and pushed the game to extras — a performance full of grit and competitive fire.
Up Next
King now turns its attention to Conference Carolinas play, returning home for a pivotal three-game series against Barton College. The Tornado and Bulldogs open the matchup on Friday, Feb. 27 at 2:00 PM ET at the King Baseball Field.
