BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (3-5) avenged last week's loss, downing border rival King (Tenn.) University (3-7) in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon. The Wasps put up three first-inning runs and rode the back of good pitching to pick up the midweek victory. 

The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 4, King (Tenn.) 3
LOCATION – Bristol, Tennessee
VENUE – King Baseball Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (3-5, 1-2 SAC); King (Tenn.) (3-7, 1-2 Carolinas)

How It Happened
The Wasps took an early lead in the top of the first inning when junior outfielder Jadden Rodriguez (Thomasville, N.C.) singled, moved up to second on a wild pitch and came around to score on an RBI single by junior designated hitter Kyle Fields (Lynchburg, Va.). E&H added to its lead as senior third baseman Drew Park (Mooresville, N.C.) plated Fields with an RBI double down the line in left, then scored himself on a Tornado error to make it 3-0 after the first inning of action.

Junior starting pitcher Ivan Delp (Sparta, N.C.) kept the Tornado scoreless through the first two innings, but the home team finally broke through in the bottom of the third. King put up a pair of runs on three hits to cut their deficit to 3-2. E&H had an immediate response in the top of the fourth. Sophomore shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) drew a walk and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Rodriguez delivered an RBI base knock through the middle of the infield and the Wasps saw their advantage grow to 4-2. 

King managed to put a run across in the bottom of the fifth inning to draw back within one at 4-3. The bullpen for Emory & Henry was lights out over the final 4.2 innings. Senior righty Matthew Hollar (Manassas, Va.) threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out a pair while giving up just one hit. Rodriguez showed his versatility as he took to the mound, retiring the final six King batters in order, including fanning three, to close things down and pick up the save. 

Hollar earned his first win of the season for his effort in relief while Rodriguez was awarded his first save in a Wasp uniform. Connor Haynes was the losing pitcher for the Tornado after allowing three runs on five hits over three innings of work. Rodriguez, Fields, junior first baseman J.D. James (China Grove, N.C.) and Park all finished with a pair of hits while Rodriguez, Fields and Park collected one RBI each. 

Up Next
Emory & Henry opens up its 2026 home schedule on Friday, February 20 when the Wasps host the Railsplitters of Lincoln Memorial University for a three-game weekend series. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from Porterfield-DeVault Field. 

--E&H--