MARS HILL, N.C. --- Dalton Eisenbath went for 2-for-4, including his two-run homer in the seventh inning as the Mars Hill University baseball team held off a late charge in a 4-3 South Atlantic Conference win over visiting Tusculum College Friday afternoon at Henderson Field.

The Lions (17-27, 10-15 SAC) got a stellar pitching performance from starter Caleb Edwards (6-4) as he struck out nine in his seven-inning performance.

With Mars Hill leading 2-1 in the seventh inning, Eisenbath cracked a two-run homer to left field for a 4-1 advantage for the Lions.

The Pioneers (26-18, 14-12 SAC) made a late push, plating a pair of runs in the ninth inning. But MHU reliever Hunter Boydston picked up his third save of the year as he left the go-ahead run stranded at first base.

Tusculum starter McKenly Berry suffered the loss to fall to 2-2 on the year. TC reliever Scott Simmons retired all four batters he would face to keep the Pioneers within striking distance.

TC's Andrew Bowerman led the offense with his 2-for-5 effort.

The two teams will close out the three-game weekend series with a 1 p.m. Saturday doubleheader at Henderson Field.

- TC -