The Bluefield State baseball team split a doubleheader against Emory and Henry Wednesday evening at Bowen Field.
Game 1:
The Big Blue dropped a heartbreaker to the Wasps in game one. As they lost the lead late in a 7-6 defeat. The game was tied at six with the Wasps batting in the top of the seventh when Jackson Lancaster singled on the first pitch, scoring one run.
The Big Blue collected nine hits and the Wasps had ten in the high-scoring affair.
The Wasps got things moving in the first inning when an error scored one run for them.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Wasps tied things up at six when Sean Davis-Cherry grounded out, scoring one run.
The Big Blue put up five runs in the fifth inning. Bluefield State’s big inning was driven by a triple by Ty Sizemore, a single by Jarred Simpson, a home run by CJ Cooper, and an error on a ball put in play by Cole Cote.
The Wasps scored three runs in the fifth inning. Eli Milhorn and Ben Williams all drove in runs in the frame.
Jack Singleton earned the victory on the hill for the Wasps. Singleton went four innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out two, and walking zero. Zack Mcrae and Williams entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.
Austin Stambaugh took the loss for Bluefield State Baseball. Stambaugh allowed two hits and one run over one and one-third innings, striking out one and walking zero.
Josh Plisko started the game for Bluefield State Baseball. Plisko lasted five and two-thirds innings, allowing eight hits and six runs.
The Big Blue socked two home runs on the day. Cooper went yard in the fifth inning. Cote had a dinger in the first inning.
Game 2:
Jordan Varela-Payne was an RBI machine in game two, driving in five on two hits to lead the Big Blue past the Wasps, 13-6. Varela-Payne drove in runs on a home run in the second and a home run in the third.
An early lead helped propel the Big Blue to victory. Bluefield State scored on a single by Jarred Simpson in the first inning, a home run by Varela-Payne in the second inning, and a home run by Brayden Merrick in the second inning.
The Big Blue pulled away for good with three runs in the second inning. In the second Varela-Payne homered on a 2-0 count, scoring two runs and Merrick hit a solo homer.
The Big Blue scored three runs in the fifth inning. The offensive onslaught came from a walk by Merrick, a single by Cole Cote, and a sacrifice fly by CJ Cooper.
Jordan Livingston took the win for the Big Blue. Livingston surrendered six runs on nine hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking zero. Jackson Painter threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.
Luke Kennedy took the loss for the Big Blue. The pitcher lasted two innings, allowing five hits and five runs while striking out one.
The Big Blue collected 12 hits. Cote, Simpson, Taylor Tibbs, and Varela-Payne each managed multiple hits. Simpson and Cote each collected three hits to lead the Big Blue.