KODAK, Tenn. – The Covenant baseball team's 10 hits in Friday night's contest were ultimately not enough as Ferrum took the 8-4 victory.

The teams were hosted for the first of their three-game series by the Tennessee Smokies at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tennessee.

The Panthers struck early, taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Ferrum used five hits during the rally, including a triple from Clayton Michael.

Ferrum then tacked on another run thanks to a homer from Ozzie Torres in the bottom of the fifth, extending their lead to four (4-0). 

Covenant would answer in the top of the sixth with their first run of the contest. A double from Andrew Brock and a sacrifice fly from Zeke Gilbert helped the Scots cut the deficit to three (4-1).

The Panthers added another three runs over the next two innings, helping them gain a 7-1 lead heading into Covenant's half of the eighth.

An RBI double from Joseph Ridenour in the top of the eighth made it 7-2. But, Ferrum used a hit and an error in the bottom of the same inning to extend the lead back out to six (8-2).

The Scots would rally in the top of the ninth, scoring twice off of four hits. A solo home run from Tyler Cox followed by singles from Chris Savage, George Manera, and Brock helped make it 8-4. But, they could not close the deficit, resulting in the four-run loss.

Brock went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Cox was 2-for-4 with a homer. Savage also went 3-for-4 with a double.

Aaron Northcutt (0-2) started on the mound for the Scots and received the loss after pitching 5.2 innings with four strikeouts, zero walks, and five earned runs. Austin Clark, Eli Orr, and Scotty Smith combined for the remaining innings. 

Michael and Torres were both 2-of-4 with three RBIs between them. Cameron Mullins (2-0) struck out seven with no walks and one earned run in seven innings. Dawson Wiggins pitched two innings of relief, striking out two.

The Scots fall to 4-5, while the Panthers improve to 6-3.

UP NEXT

Covenant will face Ferrum again tomorrow for a doubleheader at the Smokies Stadium. Game one is scheduled for 1 p.m.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.