The Blue Mountain Christian Toppers baseball team responded in Game 2 of their doubleheader against No. 15 William Carey on Friday afternoon, earning a split in the final SSAC regular-season series. After a 2-1 loss in the opener, the Toppers won 11-5, fueled by an offensive explosion and a complete game from Benji Webb.
Game 1 was a pitchers’ duel, with Blue Mountain Christian taking an early lead. Jake Meilstrup scored on a Cody Presley double in the third inning to put the Toppers ahead 1-0. William Carey answered in the bottom half and took the lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly. The Toppers managed three hits in the opener, with Presley driving in the lone run. Christian Maness pitched 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, while Ryan Murphy pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.
The momentum shifted in Game 2. Bryant opened with a two-run homer in the first inning, scoring Meilstrup. The Crusaders responded with a run, but Blue Mountain Christian broke the game open in the second. Reise Thomas hit an RBI double, and Meilstrup added an RBI single. Bryant followed with another RBI to extend the lead to 5-1. The Toppers continued to add to their lead, with Bryant driving in two runs with a single in the fourth. Presley contributed an RBI double, and Jarrett Morris and Yaidel Perez each added RBI hits as the lead grew to 11-1.
Bryant led the offensive effort, going 3-for-3 with four runs scored and five RBIs. Meilstrup and Presley each added two hits. Thomas scored twice and drove in a run. On the mound, Webb pitched all nine innings, allowing five runs on nine hits and striking out six. Despite late attempts from William Carey, Webb finished strong to secure the win.
The series concludes Saturday with Game 3. The Toppers aim to finish strong in the regular season.
