WISE - - Longtime UVA Wise baseball coach Hank Banner managed his last two games for the Cavaliers Sunday and the 25-year skipper guided his club to the final win of his career, a 3-2 triumph over Mars Hill at Stallard Field. The Lions bounced back in game two to win 13-9 to garner the final South Atlantic Conference Tournament berth.

Prior to the game, UVA Wise presented Banner with a framed jersey from the 2007 and 2008 seasons when the Cavs advanced to back-to-back regional tournaments. Additionally, former players sent in pre-recorded audio statements about their experience as a player in the program.

The pregame ceremonies seemed to give a jolt to UVA Wise (5-28, 4-26 SAC) freshman right-hander Hunter Tensen. The hurler logged the best start of any Cavalier pitcher this season as he went 6 1/3 innings while striking out five and scattering seven hits while allowing just two runs.

While it was a freshman holding the Mars Hill (17-21, 12-18 SAC) at bay, a UVA Wise senior was doing damage at the plate.

Gabe Wurtz belted a pair of homers in the game, including in the first inning as the hosts led wire-to-wire in the opener.

The outfielder finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored in the win.

When Tensen's afternoon was complete on the mound, fellow freshman Hunter Anderson recorded the game's final two outs to record the first save of his collegiate career.

Zach Weaver paced the Lions as the first baseman logged two of the team's seven hits.

Sam Kaplan suffered the mound loss as he surrendered three runs in a 3 1/3 innings.

In game two, Mars Hill centerfielder Kyle Jenkins put on an offensive display as he went 4-for-5 with seven RBI and four runs scored while hammering two homers.

UVA Wise received homers from Wurtz, Clay Taylor, Tyler Campbell and Cole Harness while Taylor and Bret Roberts each lined a double. Wurtz finished his finial collegiate game 3-for-3 with two walks to go with the solo homer.

Jenkins' three-run homer in the eighth broke open what was a 10-9 game to send the Lions to postseason play in the SAC Tournament next week.