Bluefield State's Larkin lights up King in 10-7 win
Mar. 21—BRISTOL, Tenn. — A grand slam from Bluefield State University's Chris Larkin secured a 10-7 road victory over King University for the Big Blue on Wednesday.
Larkin went 4-for-5 on the day for Bluefield State (12-8) also hitting a pair of doubles. He drove in five runs on the day.
The Tornados got on the board first, scoring three in the bottom of the first inning. The Big Blue answered in the top of the second with five to take the 5-3 lead. Joseph Pilewski and Korbin Bostic both drew the walk followed by a single to center for Noah Moritz to bring one across the plate.
Later in the inning, Peyton Lewis singled to left field to bring in two runs for the Big Blue. A passed ball, stolen base and a throwing error brought Lewis home to give the Big Blue the 4-3 lead. Chris Larkin singled up the middle to extend the Big Blue lead 5-3. The Tornados scored four in the fourth and one in the fifth to take the 6-5 lead.
With two outs in the sixth, Moritz and Tahraun Hammond hit back-to-back singles followed by a walk from Lewis to load the bases. Tahir Meulens drew a walk to bring one in for the Big Blue. A grand slam from Larkin cleared the bases to give the Big Blue the 10-6 lead. The Tornados scored one in the bottom of the inning to pull within three, but the Big Blue defense would not allow anymore to cross the plate coming away with the 10-7 victory over King.
Alex Kanipe (4-2) earned the win on the mound for the Big Blue, throwing 4.2 innings, giving up three hits, one run, one walk, and striking out six.
"I am very proud of the way our guys battled for nine innings," said head coach Drew Bailey. "Anytime you can beat a Conference Carolina opponent on the road is good for our program."
The Big Blue will travel to Virginia State University Sunday, March 24 for a double header starting at 1 p.m. followed by a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
