 "Photo: Matt Turner")
After a tough weekend series against Wayne State University, the University of West Georgia Wolves baseball team hammered away at the plate on Feb. 23 against the visiting Atlanta Christian College Chargers at Cole Field.
Wolves starting pitcher Jacob Fox limited the Chargers to just five hits and one run, while striking out two batters and walking only one in his six-inning stint. The run occurred in the top of the third when Chargers centerfielder Byron Williams reached first base on a botched throw. After stealing second base, Williams scored on an RBI-single hit by right fielder Tyler Ward. Wolves pitchers Toby Jordan and Kyle Parrish relieved Fox for the remaining two innings of the game.
The Wolves’ bats lit up the afternoon on offense. In the bottom of the first inning, Chargers starting pitcher Jacob Moore hit Wolves catcher Michael Bridges, putting him on first base. Designated hitter Michael Hornsby then doubled to left field, advancing Bridges to third base. Moore walked first-baseman Blake Parrot, loading the bases.
Shortstop Justin Smith knocked a double to left field, scoring Bridges, Hornsby, and Parrot for three RBI. Following a groundout to the shortstop by centerfielder Mike Markakis, Smith moved to third base. An RBI-single to centerfield from third baseman Ben Lillis brought Smith home to put the Wolves up 4-0.
Two innings later, the Wolves struck again. Lead-off batter Hornsby reached first base on an in-field single and then advanced to second base on a left field single by Parrot. Following a strikeout by Smith and a groundout by Markakis, the runners moved up one base. Lillis then hit a 2-RBI single to right centerfield, bringing Hornsby and Parrot home for two more runs, which brought the Wolves up 6-1.
Next inning, the Wolves increased their lead at 8-1. Second-baseman Alex Duhaime led off the inning with a single down the left field line. Chargers coach Jesse Dyar made a pitching change, switching Zach Nash for Moore, but the change did little to stop the Wolves’ onslaught.
After right-fielder Brett Wright grounded out to third, catcher Bridges singled to left field and moved Duhaime over to third base. Nash hit designated hitter Hornsby, putting him on first base and moving Bridges to second base. A sacrifice fly by Parrot scored Duhaime and advanced Bridges to third base. The next batter, Smith, reached first base on a Fielder’s Choice scoring Bridges.
The Wolves scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lead-off batter Wright tripled to right center field and later scored home on a sacrifice fly from Bridges, putting a period mark on the Wolves’ 9-1 victory.
Jacob Fox came away with the win, his first of the season, while Jacob Moore earned the loss. Senior designated hitter Michael Hornsby extended his hitting streak to 13 games.
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