March 24, 2009

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Lions' baseball team extended their winning streak to five games with an 11-8 victory over Pfeiffer University Wednesday afternoon at Henderson Field. MHC improved its record to 17-15 while the Falcons fell to 20-9-1 overall.

The Falcons got on the board first when Preston Lyon hit a three run homer in the top of the second inning. Mike Dobre (Pompano Beach, Fla.) tied the contest in the bottom half of the second frame by belting a three-run homerun of his own down the left field line.

Pfeiffer went up 4-3 in the third inning when Zach Pou scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Rouse. MHC tied the game in the same manner in the bottom of the fourth inning when Devin Presnell (Boone, N.C.) hit a sacrifice fly to plate Patrick Davidson (Swannanoa, N.C.).

The Falcons went back on top, 8-4, in the top of the sixth inning. Lyon singled to left field to score Rouse and then Josh Strickland doubled to drive in Julian Medina and Jesse Dunn. Eric Shoemaker then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Lyon. Brian Williams (Orlando, Fla.) hit a ball off the left field fence in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 8-6 after Presnell and Dobre scored on the play.

Brandon Savoca (Riegelwood, N.C.) doubled to right center to score Corry DiBiase (Orlando, Fla.) in the seventh frame to bring the Lions within a single run (8-7) of the Falcons. DiBiase led off the inning with a double of his own.

The Lions took an 11-8 lead in the eighth inning on six hits. Davidson tied the game when he singled up the middle to plate Mike Kitt (West Islip, N.Y.). Savoca then drove in the go-ahead run with a single to left field. DiBiase accounted for what proved to be the game winning score. Dalton Hardee (Boone, N.C.) and Presnell added insurance runs with hits that allowed Davidson and Savoca to cross the plate.

Matt Dameron (Mt. Holly, N.C.) picked up the win (2-0) pitching 1.2 innings in relief. Dobre and Davidson led MHC at the plate going 3-4. Dobre added a homerun and three RBI. DiBiase also recorded three hits and scored three times.

Eric Shuford took the loss (0-1) for the Falcons on the mound. Preston Lyon led Pfeifer at the plate going 3-4 with four RBI and a homerun.

MHC will host Lander on Wednesday afternoon in a double-header beginning at 2 p.m.

Boxscore...

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