Johnson Rallies Late, Edges SMC 8-7 in 10-Inning Series Finale
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Johnson (TN) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 3 |
|
Spartanburg Methodist | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 3 |
Visiting Johnson scored the final four runs of the game to erase a 7-4 deficit and defeat host Spartanburg Methodist College, 8-7, in 10 innings in Sunday's series finale.
SMC (6-9, 1-5 AAC) took a 7-4 lead in the seventh inning on a three-run home run by Tanner Martin. Martin finished 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored.
Johnson (16-1, 8-0 AAC) forced extra innings in the ninth on a two-run home run by Christian Altamiran. The Royals then manufactured the winning run in the 10th without recording a hit. Johnson opened the inning with a walk and a hit-by-pitch, and after a groundout moved both runners into scoring position, Jesse Rojas delivered a sacrifice fly deep enough to score pinch runner Edwin Olmeda Jr. Luke Wilson led the Royals at the plate with three hits.
For the second time this weekend, SMC outhit Johnson, 16-9. Along with Martin's three-hit performance, five Pioneers recorded two hits each: Jarian Pinckney, Blake Exizian, Matt Smith, Ty Harper and Lane Schrader. SMC stranded 13 runners on base.
In addition to Wilson's three hits, six different Royals tallied a hit in the victory. Kaleb Townsend earned the win, pitching the final three innings for his first victory of the season.
SMC returns to action Tuesday, March 3, hosting Milligan for a non-conference doubleheader featuring two seven-inning games beginning at 2 p.m. at Mooneyham Field.
