MARS HILL, NC – Mars Hill swept the weekend South Atlantic Conference series over the UVA Wise baseball team.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Game 1: Mars Hill 10, UVA Wise 5
Result Game 2: Mars Hill 9, UVA Wise 5
Result Game 3: Mars Hill 3, UVA Wise 0
Records: UVA Wise (6-21, 3-15 SAC); Mars Hill (13-15-1, 9-8-1 SAC)
Location: Mars Hill, NC | Henderson Field

GAME ONE
- Jake Smith contributed a home run for the Highland Cavaliers, but the Lions capitalized on two home runs to secure the victory.
- Tanner Jones walked and stole second, advancing to third on Joshua Morgan's single. Smith's sacrifice fly allowed Jones to score, tying the game at 1-1 after one inning.
- Mars Hill broke the tie in the bottom of the second inning. After loading the bases, Alejandro Aguilar hit a grand slam, driving in four runs and giving the Lions a 5-1 lead after two innings.
- In the fourth inning, UVA Wise's offense responded. Jacob Boyle was hit by a pitch and scored alongside Carter Babb, who homered to right center. This cut the deficit to 5-3.
- The Cavs added another run in the fifth inning. Smith scored on Babb's bases-loaded walk, bringing the score to 5-4.
- Mars Hill extended their lead with a run-scoring groundout in the sixth inning and later in the eighth inning with a grand slam by Yeriel Pastrana, pushing the score to 10-4.
- UVA Wise managed one more run in the ninth inning. Jaden Ruehling scored on Boyle's single, finalizing the score at 10-5 in favor of the Lions.
- Eli Reece pitched for 6 innings, allowing 6 earned runs on 3 hits, while issuing 5 walks and striking out 3 batters. Despite a challenging outing, Reece managed to induce 8 groundouts and recorded a WHIP of 1.33. Gabe Gowder contributed 1 2/3 innings of relief, striking out 4 while giving up 2 earned runs and maintaining a WHIP of 0.83. Sawyer Patrick pitched for a brief 1/3 inning, conceding 2 earned runs on 1 hit and 1 hit by pitch, while also striking out one batter.
 - Babb led the Cavs with a home run and three RBIs, contributing two hits and a run scored. Ruehling added two hits, including a double, and scored a run. Boyle reached base three times with a hit, a walk, and two hit-by-pitches, tallying one RBI and a run. Luke Johnson recorded a double and a walk, collecting four assists in the field.

GAME TWO
- Mars Hill took an early lead in the third inning when Peyton Starkey and Yeriel Pastrana both singled to left center, setting the stage for Carter Potts. Potts delivered an RBI single, bringing Starkey home, followed by Mel Rubiera's single that allowed Alejandro Aguilar to score. Mars Hill led 2-0 after three innings.
- UVA Wise responded in the fourth inning. Joshua Morgan doubled to left center and was brought home by Jake Smith's double down the right field line, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
- In the fifth inning, UVA Wise surged ahead with a four-run outburst. Derrick Hall singled through the left side and Luke Johnson followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Morgan's RBI single scored Hall, tying the score. Johnson then scored on Jacob Boyle's RBI single, and Carter Babb added a two-RBI single up the middle. This put the Cavs ahead 5-2. However, the Lions answered with four runs of its own in the bottom half, highlighted by Gavyn Miller's three-run homer, reclaiming a 6-5 lead.
- Mars Hill extended its lead in the seventh inning. Peyton Starkey's RBI single and Pastrana's two-RBI double widened the gap to 9-5.
- Despite efforts in the remaining innings, the Highland Cavaliers could not close the gap. Mars Hill secured a 9-5 victory, marking the final score.
- Mason McAlarnis pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and two earned runs while striking out three batters. He faced 23 batters, issued one walk, and hit one batter. Logan Delph contributed 2 1/3 innings, yielding four hits, three earned runs, and two walks, while recording two strikeouts. Hunter Garrett closed with 1 1/3 innings, giving up two hits and recording one strikeout, with a single wild pitch noted in his appearance.
- Joshua Morgan led the team with two runs scored and added a double to his performance. Carter Babb contributed two RBIs with a hit in a bases-loaded situation, enhancing the team's offensive output. Luke Johnson recorded two hits and scored once, while also providing solid defense with three assists. Jake Smith drove in a run with a double, adding to the team's scoring opportunities.

GAME THREE
- Mars Hill secured a 3-0 victory over the Cavs in a game marked by strong pitching and timely hitting. The action began in the fourth inning when Mars Hill's Terick Bumgarner singled through the left side, driving in two runs. This gave the Lions a 2-0 lead through four innings.
- In the fifth inning, the Lions extended their lead. Chapel Matson singled to center field, allowing Yeriel Pastrana to score from second base, increasing the margin to 3-0 by the end of the inning.
- The Cavaliers' efforts included Dane Frellick's two singles and Luke Johnson's single and two walks, but Mars Hill's defense held firm. The game concluded with the Lions maintaining their lead, resulting in a final score of 3-0.
- Bo Trantham pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out six batters. He maintained a WHIP of 1.15, issuing two walks and two hit-by-pitches. Trantham's effort included inducing six groundouts and achieving one double play. Ryan Whitson contributed by pitching 1/3 of an inning, recording one strikeout and allowing one hit, without surrendering any runs.
- Dane Frellick collected two hits, and Luke Johnson reached base three times, resulting in high OPS figures. Jacob Boyle contributed offensively with a double, finishing with a hit in three at-bats.

UP NEXT
The Cavs will travel to King Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader against the Tornado. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
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