GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - - Tusculum swept UVA Wise in the South Atlantic Conference baseball opener for both schools at Pioneer Park Friday. The Pioneers took game one 6-3 before run-ruling the Cavaliers 16-6 in the nightcap.
In the opener, Tusculum scored three times in the third inning and three more times in the fourth inning to build a 6-0 lead in the opener. Zane Keener had a sacrifice fly RBI and Bryson Ford homered in the three-run third before Kyle Williams lined a two-run double and Ford singled in a run in the fourth inning to make it a six-run contest.
UVA Wise began a comeback bid when JoJo Kelliher launched a solo homer fifth. An inning later, Ethan Fletcher played long ball when he cranked a two-run, two-out homer to cut the deficit to 6-3. The homer was the first of Kelliher's career while Fletcher's round tripper was his first of the season.
Hunter Meador would single in the seventh inning but the Cavs would be unable to move him around as Gunner Becker tossed a complete game to earn the mound win.
Becker fanned nine, allowed three hits and walked a pair as he improved to 2-0 on the young season. The hard-throwing right-hander found the strike zone on 69 of his 114 pitches on the evening.
The Pioneers lined eight hits in the game, led by Williams' three-hit game. The centerfielder finished the game 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI, two runs and a stolen base.
Kelliher led a five-hit effort for UVA Wise with a pair of hits, but the visitors were unable to overcome a 1-for-7 showing at the plate with runners on base.
Christian Smith took the mound loss for the Cavs. The left-hander retired the first seven men he faced before facing challenges the second time through the order. Smith's final line read 3 1/3 innings pitched, three strikeouts, four hits, and no walks; one of the three runs he surrendered was unearned.
Clark Adams fired two innings of scoreless relief out of the bullpen for Hank Banner's club, the appearance was Adams' first of the season.
Game two saw Tusculum score multiple runs in four innings, including six runs in the fourth inning to claim the sweep.
The Pioneers lined 19 hits in the contest, Luis Ezra, Williams and Brandon Trammell had three hits each. Trammell homered as part of his big game as the outfielder knocked in three while Williams scored a trio of runs in the finale.
UVA Wise picked up six hits in the loss, Kelliher stayed hot finishing the game 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Senior catcher Tyler Blaum picked up an RBI double in the seventh inning, but the Cavs continued to struggle with men on base going 3-for-17 in such opportunities.
On the mound, Nick Flesher picked up the win. Flesher fanned seven over six innings of work while walking two and allowing three runs in his 110-pitch outing. Jimmy Vanosdale was saddled with the loss; reliever Isaac Whitehead tossed a scoreless 1 1/3 innings in his collegiate pitching debut.
The two schools are scheduled to wrap up the series with a doubleheader Saturday, weather permitting. Please visit www.uvawisecavs.com for start times.
