Bristol, Tenn. — King University baseball hosted UVA Wise for a nonconference doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon but was unable to slow down the Cavaliers' offensive production, falling 12–5 in Game One and 6–4 in Game Two at the King Baseball Field. The Tornado (10–21) collected 15 total hits across the two contests but could not overcome big innings from UVA Wise (8–21).
Game One: Cavaliers Use Eight-Run Fifth to Pull Away
King struck first in the opening inning when Jose Ruiz scored on a wild pitch, and the Tornado added two more runs in the third on a sacrifice fly from Justin Smith and an RBI groundout by Mitchell Victor. After King regained the lead 5–4 in the fourth behind an RBI double from Christopher Rosario and an RBI single from Ruiz, UVA Wise responded with a decisive eight-run fifth inning.
The Cavaliers sent 12 batters to the plate in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single from Drew Knight, an RBI walk from Jacob Boyle, and a series of defensive miscues that extended the inning. Joshua Morgan capped the rally with an RBI double to left, pushing the lead to 12–5.
King finished with seven hits, including doubles from Ruiz, Rosario, and Jacob Eargle. Ruiz reached base four times with two hits and two walks, while Rosario and Eargle each added two hits.
Connor Haynes, Braylen DeBusk, Colin Goldsmith, Kade Pomeroy, Dylan Willis, and Bhraedon Meredith combined for the pitching duties, with Pomeroy taking the loss.
Game Two: Late Offense Lifts UVA Wise in 6–4 Final
King again jumped ahead early, scoring in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from Victor. The Tornado added two more in the third when Smith singled home two runs, giving King a 3–0 advantage.
UVA Wise answered with a four-run fourth inning, capitalizing on a bases-loaded walk, a sacrifice fly from Dalton Chapman, and a two-run error that allowed the Cavaliers to take a 4–3 lead. King tied the game in the bottom half when Rosario singled to third base, scoring Victor.
The game remained even until the eighth, when UVA Wise broke through with RBI singles from Joshua Morgan and Tyler Jones to take a 6–4 lead. King was held without a hit over the final four innings.
Rosario led the Tornado with two hits and an RBI, while Smith added a two-RBI single. Tommy Regan recorded two hits, and Jacob Eargle added two more from the leadoff spot.
Mitchell Kahlenberg delivered three scoreless innings to open the game, while Aidan Ricker, Mason Shuford, London Moshiri, and Jonathan Webster handled the remaining frames. Webster took the loss.
Offensive Leaders – King University
Game One
Game Two
Up Next
King opens Conference Carolinas play on Friday, March 27, traveling to Young Harris, Ga., for a 1 p.m. matchup against Young Harris College to begin a weekend league series.
