WISE - - A five-run seventh inning propelled UVA Wise to a 7-4 win in game two as Hank Banner's club split a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with Mars Hill at Henderson Field Saturday. The Lions took game one 14-10 in a slugfest which was the conference opening doubleheader for both schools.
UVA Wise (7-5, 1-1 SAC) entered the seventh and final inning of game two trailing 3-2 after Mars Hill (3-9, 1-1 SAC) took the lead in the home sixth on a two-run homer by Ruben Tirllo.
The Cavaliers came off the mat as the first four hitters of the inning reached base. Senior Tyler Blaum singled to lead off the frame before fellow senior Dawson Cagle followed with a single, a walk to senior Gabe Wurtz loaded the bases for senior Tristan Peccerelli.
Pecerelli would tie the game on a run-scoring single to plate Blaum. Two hitters later, UVA Wise would take the lead on a two RBI single by Tyler Horvath to make it a 5-3 contest.
Two more runs would be tacked on in the frame as redshirt sophomore Bret Roberts provided insurance on a two-run single to give the Cavs a 7-3 lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, Mars Hill would push a run across before sophomore Tyler Hayes would get out of the inning and secure the win thanks to a fine defensive play by sophomore shortstop Isaac Whitehead.
Roberts, Blaum, Peccerelli, junior Tyler Campbell and sophomore Ethan Fletcher all had two hits in the win.
Greg Duncan picked up the mound win by tossing 6 1/3 innings allowing three runs, allowing six hits, striking out nine and walking one. The win improves the senior right-hander to 3-0 on the year.
Tyler Lala and Trillo each lined two hits in the loss as Mars Hill as was unable to fully take advantage of a trio of errors.
Game one saw Mars Hill win a slugfest as the hosts lined 13 hits and took advantage of five errors to plate 14 runs.
Jordan Lathe went 4-for-4 in the win while teammates Lala and Adam Treadway also had two hits in the win.
UVA Wise had five players finish with multiple hits in the win, led by senior Gabe Wurtz who went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Blaum finished 2-for-5, senior Dawson Cagle went 2-for-6, senior Jordon Turner went 2-for-4 and Peccerelli lined two hits in four at bats as part of 12-hit effort.
Max Poole earned the mound win for Mars Hill as he tossed 1 2/3 innings of relief allowing two runs (one earned). Tony Wertz was the lone UVA Wise pitcher in the game not to allow a run as he tossed 1 2/3 innings of scoreless ball.
The series concludes with the rubber game tomorrow in a single nine inning game starting at 1 p.m.
