Game Box Score

Wise, VA - UVa-Wise head coach Banner earned his 300^th career win on Friday as UVa-Wise upset Tennessee Wesleyan 8-5 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play. The victory moves UVa-Wise into a sixth place tie with Bryan College in the standings; the loss drops Tennessee Wesleyan a game back of Union College for first place.

 Trailing 3-0, the Highland Cavaliers struck for four two out runs in the fifth inning to take the lead. Sandwiched in between a Brad Ricker strikeout and a Dusty Haigler fly out, Tommy Meier singled. Brad Robbins walked moving Alex Feemster to second; Feemster came on as a courtesy runner for Meier. Feemster scored one batter latter on an rbi single by Luis Roa. With one run in, freshman Brett Hylton lined a three run home run down the right field line to put the Cavaliers ahead 4-3.

After holding Wesleyan scoreless in the top of the sixth, UVa-Wise extended its lead in the home half of the inning. Ricker walked and moved to third on a Meier single. Haigler then cleared the bases to give UVa-Wise a 6-3 advantage. Two batters later, Roa was intentionally walked to bring Hytlon back up to the plate. Once again Hylton produced, the Dry Fork, Virginia native laced a double scoring Haigler and Roa pushing the lead to five at 8-3.

Tennessee Wesleyan cut the lead to three in the seventh. C.J. McElory singled and moved to second on a Max Loveland single. McElory and Loveland scored when Jonathon Smith doubled to the left center field gap. UVa-Wise reliever Chris Smith came on to record the inning's final out to maintain a three run lead. The right hander did not allow a hit over the game's final two innings to secure Banner's 300 career victory.

UVa-Wise starter Jonathon Hawkins hurled six and one third innings of baseball in earning his sixth win of the season. Hawkins struck out three while scattering 8 hits. 

The three game series will resume with a double header tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Senior day festivities will begin at approximately 12:45.

Cavalier Notes:

·       Hank Banner's 300^th victory makes him the only coach in the history of the school to reach 300 wins.

·       Jonathon Hawkins win makes him 7-1 in his collegiate career.

·       The save by Chris Smith was the first of his career.

·       With five rbi Brett Hytlon set a new single game career high.

Score by Innings                   R H E

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Tennessee Wesleyan.. 020 100 200 - 5 9 1

UVa-Wise............ 000 044 00X - 8 10 1

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WP: Jonathon Hawkins  - Tommy Meier

LP:  Justin Crowell - David Lindsay

SV: Chris Smith