TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The No. 3 nationally-ranked North Greenville University Baseball Team (11-1) defeated Emory & Henry University (1-9) in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon. The Wasps fell to the Trailblazers by a 14-3 final tally.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – No. 3 North Greenville 14, Emory & Henry 3
LOCATION – Tigerville, South Carolina
VENUE – Ray & Bea Dillard Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (1-9, 0-3 SAC); North Greenville (11-1, 2-1 Carolinas)
How It Happened
The Wasps were first to score as they pushed across a run in the top of the first inning. Fifth-year outfielder Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) led off with a single, moved up to second on a hit from senior second baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.) and scored on an errant throw by the North Greenville shortstop to make it 1-0. The Trailblazers had an immediate answer as they scored a run on one hit in the home half of the inning to tie things up at 1-1.
The NGU bats erupted in the bottom of the second inning as the home team posted seven runs on five hits, including a three-run home run, to take an 8-1 lead. The Trailblazers added another run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI base knock to increase the margin out to 9-1.
The Wasps would get a pair of runs back in the top of the fifth. Sophomore third baseman Jack Ferguson (Abingdon, Va.) singled and senior outfielder Khadeem Lewis (Chesterfield, Va.) doubled down the line in left to put a pair of runners in scoring position. Foley delivered an RBI single to plate Ferguson and freshman shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) followed with a perfectly-executed RBI bunt single to score Lewis as the Wasps reduced the deficit to 9-3. The home team responded in the bottom of the inning when Andrew Sands launched a two-run home run over the wall in center to push NGU's advantage back out to 11-3. North Greenville would go on to add three more runs to earn the 14-3 victory.
Cole Munhall earned the win for North Greenville after throwing one shutout inning while striking out a pair of batters. Sophomore pitcher Billy Baxter (Huntersville, N.C.) took the loss on the mound after surrendering four runs and two hits in 1+ innings of work. Lewis led the way offensively for the Wasps as he finished with three hits. Foley had an RBI on two hits while five other Wasps had a base knock.
Up Next
Emory & Henry opens its 2025 home schedule on Friday as the Wasps welcome the Cobras of Coker University to Porterfield-DeVault Field. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from Emory, Virginia.
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