WISE, Va. — Avery Collins‘ ninth-inning two-run homer proved to be the game-winner as Tusculum University rallied to a 7-5 non-conference win over UVA Wise Tuesday night at Stallard Field.
Collins went 2-for-4 and his home run in the top of the ninth provided the insurance runs needed as the Pioneers (5-13) snap a three-game losing streak.
Tusculum out-hit the Highland Cavaliers (16-5) by a 13-11 margin as Connor Jurek went 3-for-5 with two RBI, while Caleb Webster, Jude Morton, Caleb Mulcahy and Collins had two hits apiece.
Tusculum got on the board first when Webster led off the game with a double down the right field line and later scored on Jurek’s two-out single for a 1-0 lead.
The Cavaliers answered with three runs in the bottom of the second which included a bases loaded walk and a RBI single off the bat of Nick Badgett.
Tusculum cut into the deficit with an unearned run in the fourth, but the Cavs responded with a run in their half of the frame with Bernard Creque’s RBI single with two outs giving UVA Wise a 4-2 lead.
Back came the Pioneers with a runs in the fifth and seventh innings to tie the score at 4-4. In the fifth, Webster posted his second double of the game and seventh of the season. He moved to third on a balk and scored on Ryan Ortega‘s ground out. In the seventh, Morton started a two-out rally as he reached on a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Jurek’s RBI single.
Tusculum regained the lead in the top of the eighth when Max Schmarder led off with a single, moved to second on a bunt and advanced to third on Mulchay’s single. Schmarder would cross the plate with the go-ahead run on Luis Reyes RBI ground out.
In the top of the ninth, Morton singled and later scored on Collins’ two-run blast to right field as the Pioneers extended the lead to 7-4.
With freshman closer Cooper Emery aboard, the Cavs mounted a rally. DJ Dickson led off with a walk and after a strikeout, Joshua Morgan doubled down the left field line to move Dickson to third base. Matt Frye legged out an infield single to bring home Dickson to cut the TU lead down to 7-5. Emery struck out Dalton Chapman for the second out of the frame. A walk to Morgan Miller loaded the bases, but Emery ended the game as pinch-hitter Jacob Boyle popped up on the infield as TU secured the victory.
Tusculum reliever Mason Huffstickler (2-0) pitched 4.1 shutout innings where he scattered three hits and posted five strikeouts. Emery faced seven batters in the ninth, but was able to navigate to earn his second save of the year.
UVA Wise reliever Clayton Landser suffered the loss to fall to 0-1 on the season.
After playing five straight on the road, the Pioneers return home this weekend to begin a seven-game home-stand. Tusculum will host Limestone University for a three-game South Atlantic Conference series beginning with Friday’s 6 p.m. opener.
