DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (7-2) defeated Mars Hill University (1-8) by a score of 9-5 in the Flying Fleet's home opener at Grier Field on Wednesday afternoon. Erskine scored all nine of its run in big second and fourth innings.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were held off the scoreboard in the first inning, but Mars Hill struck for three runs in the top of the second and took an early 3-0 lead. However, the Fleet wasted no time getting back into it. Dale Francis, Jr. and Juan Jaime hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the second inning in their first home at-bats. Tariq Bacon followed with a double and Daniel Hernandez drove him in moments later to tie the game at 3. Rolando Lujo kept the rally going with a double and a wild pitch gave the Fleet their first lead before an RBI from Christian Rivera capped a 5-run inning for Erskine to take a 5-3 lead. After a bit of shaky start, Erskine starter Daniel Vos began to find a rhythm in the middle innings, as he got the Fleet through the fifth inning with a lead. And the Fleet offense broke out again in the fourth. Lujo and Tyler Smith led off the inning with singles before a couple of walks allowed Lujo to cross the plate. Dalton Boyd and Juan Jaime followed with sacrifice flies and then Bacon capped another huge inning for the Fleet with an RBI double as Erskine opened up a 9-3 lead. The Fleet ran into some trouble in the sixth, but Kevin Heinrich came on with the bases loaded and nobody out and limited the damage to just one run. Heinrich breezed through the seventh, and Parker Cassell set down the side in order in the eighth inning. Chase Hadwin came on to pitch the ninth, in his first appearance in nearly two years, and finished off a 9-5 victory for the Fleet in their home opener.

THE PLAYER
Juan Jaime went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs as he continued his good work of late in what was a balanced offensive effort from the Fleet.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine goes right back on the road this weekend, kicking off Conference Carolinas play against King University (6-0) on Friday at 2 p.m. Erskine has won 8 of its last 9 against the Tornado, including a four-game sweep in Bristol back in 2021.

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