MARS HILL, N.C.-- Down to their final out in the top of the ninth
Lleyton Lackey had a two-run RBI single to tie the game at five but Mars Hill pushes a run across in the 11th inning to take the series opener 6-5 on Friday afternoon.
Seth Christmas hit his sixth home run of the season and was 3-for-4 on day at the plate.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game Final: Mars Hill 6, #12 Lenoir-Rhyne 5 (11 Inns.)
Records: Mars Hill (7-12, 5-5 SAC), Lenoir-Rhyne (13-4, 6-4 SAC)
Location: Mars Hill, N.C.
STORY OF GAME:
- Mars Hill jacked four home runs early to take a 5-2 lead through seven innings.
- Christmas hit a solo home run in the 8th inning to cut the lead to two.
- Down to their final out, Lackey hit a two-run single up the middle to tie the game at 5-5.
- The Bears had a runner in scoring position in the 11th but could not bring him across.
- An RBI single in the bottom of the 11th gave the Lions the win.
STATS OF GAME:
- Christmas had three extra base hits on the afternoon with two doubles and a home run.
- Drew Beard and Lackey had multi-hit games.
- Michael Brunley started for the second straight Friday and went 3 2/3 innings in the no decision.
- Jack Renaud suffered the loss, allowing his first earned run of the season in his 2 2/3 innings.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Mars Hill snaps a four game losing streak to the Bears.
- The Bears fell two spots to #12 in this week's NCBWA poll.
UP NEXT: The two teams will conclude the series with a doubleheader tomorrow. The opening game will begin at noon at Mars Hill.