Thomasville, NC – After losing to the High Point-Thomasville HiToms at home the night before, the Tri-City Chili Peppers faced off against the HiToms on the road on Thursday. The Chili Peppers dropped the game 13-8.

The Chili Peppers weren’t able to get their bats moving in their first plate appearance, batting three up, three down in the top of the first. Chaz Powell (Franklin Pierce University) served as Tri City’s starting pitcher on Thursday night. The HiToms hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to take an early 2-0 lead.

University of Kentucky’s Hunter Gilliam didn’t allow High Point to hold on to their lead. After Willie Havens (Elon) hit a single to start the second inning, Gilliam hit a home run to even the score. With three hits in the bottom of the second, the HiToms put up another two runs while having two outs.

Tri City batted three up, three down again in the third, and High Point only had one hit for a quick third inning. The Chili Peppers struggled to get their offense moving again, batting three up, three down once again in the top of the fourth. Luckily for them, the HiToms also batted three up, three down.

Thursday was a big home run night for both of these teams. The Chili Peppers had their second two-run home run of the game in the top of the fifth, courtesy of Michael Dolberry (Longwood University). High Point also had another two-run home run in the fifth inning while Ryan Dalor was on the mound for Tri City. The HiToms also put up an additional run for a 7-4 lead.

Gilliam had a single in the sixth and a walk and error loaded the bases for the Chili Peppers, but they failed to score. Coastal Carolina’s Colin Yablonski pitched for Tri City in the sixth. Two walks, a hit by pitch, and two hits allowed High Point to add two runs to the scoreboard.

The Chili Peppers had one hit in the seventh, a single by Kasten Furr (University of New Orleans), but were unable to lessen their deficit. Howard College’s Eli Parks took the hill in the bottom of the inning, during which the HiToms put up another four runs to advance their lead to 13-4.

A single by Havens was the only offensive success for Tri City in the eighth . Marcus Van Alstine (VMI Commit) pitched in the eighth inning and prevented High Point from advancing their lead.

Tri City made the most of their final plate appearance in the ninth. Singles by Havens and Furr and doubles by Cade Swisher (Virginia Tech) and Brandon Eike (UNC) brought in four runs for the Chili Peppers to make the final score 13-8.

The Chili Peppers will remain on the road tomorrow for a game against the Martinsville Mustangs