ATHENS, Ga. - The Mount Vernon varsity baseball team split it’s opening two games of the GHSA Class-A Private State Tournament on Thursday, April 29 at Athens Christian.
The Mustangs fell 3-1 in Game 1 before rallying to a 3-2 victory in Game 2 to force Game 3 on Friday against the Eagles.
In Game 1, the Mustangs stayed in it until the end, but Athens Christian pulled away late.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Athens Christian tied the contest at 1-1 when Andrew Gillespie singled to score a run.
The game was tied at 1-1 with Athens Christian batting in the bottom of the sixth when Caleb Williams doubled, scoring one run.
Carter Guest picked up the win for Athens Christian, throwing seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out seven.
Jack Sims took the loss for Mount Vernon, allowing six hits and three runs over six innings, striking out seven and walking zero.
Blake Kytle, Luke Barnes, Edward Hires, and Will Allison all had one hit to lead Mount Vernon at the dish.
Facing a win-or-go-home scenario in Game 2, the Mustangs rallied together for a walk-off 3-2 victory in the bottom of the seventh inning.
With the bases loaded, Austin Taylor his a ground ball to third that was misplayed, allowing Kytle to score the winning run.
Athens Christian lead 1-0 after the first inning when Seaver King scored on a wild pitch.
The Mustangs tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Austin Taylor homered to left field.
The Mustangs took the lead for good in the bottom of fifth frame when Will Allison singled to bring in Kytle for 2-1 advantage.
Down to their last at bat, Athens Christian tied the game in the top of the seventh inning on a home run by Abhi Shah.
Mount Vernon would then walk-off in the bottom half of the seventh.
Cole Forrest picked up the win on the mound for the Mustangs tossing one third of an inning.
Dylan Holbrook pitched 6.2 innings allowing two runs and striking out seven batters.
The winner-take-all Game 3 at Athens Christian is scheduled for Friday night, April 30 with first pitch at 5:55 p.m.
The Mount Vernon Athletic Department strives to build the student-athlete by providing a five-star experience built on community, courage, development, hospitality and professionalism. As a school of inquiry, innovation and impact grounded in Christian values, we prepare all students to be college-ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs.
MUSTANGS SPLIT OPENING PLAYOFF GAMES AT ATHENS CHRISTIAN, FORCE WINNER-TAKE-ALL GAME THREE FRIDAY, APRIL 30
