Pioneers Open Tyler Miller Era With Doubleheader Sweep of Carolina

SPARTANBURG, SC - The Spartanburg Methodist College baseball team opened the Tyler Miller era and the 2026 season with a doubleheader sweep of Carolina University, winning 16–8 and 12–2 (seven innings) on a chilly Saturday.

SMC (2–0) overcame a five-run deficit in game one to earn the 16–8 victory in the opener of the twinbill. Matt Smith led the Pioneers with four hits, while seven others—Dario Astudillo, Kohen Bridges, Blake Exizian, Elijah Franz, Tanner Martin, Luke Morrison, and Jarian Pinckney—recorded two hits apiece. Exizian finished with four RBI, Smith drove in three, and Pinckney, Morrison, and Bridges each added two RBI.

The Pioneers fell behind 5–0 after the first inning before rallying to tie the game in the bottom of the third. Two two-RBI singles from Exizian and Morrison highlighted a five-run, five-hit inning. SMC then took its first lead of the season in the fourth on an RBI single by Smith and a two-run home run from Exizian, giving the Pioneers an 8–5 advantage.

Carolina responded with two runs in the fifth to pull within one, 8–7, but SMC answered by scoring eight of the game's next nine runs on its way to the win. The Pioneers plated five runs in the seventh and added three more in the eighth to pull away.

SMC used five pitchers in the victory, with Michael Mapes earning his first collegiate win after tossing four innings while allowing two hits and two runs (one earned). Coile Montgomery pitched the final two innings to close out the win.

Chandler Smithart had two of Carolina's five hits in the loss.

The nightcap also saw the Pioneers play from behind, as the visitors scored the first run in the opening inning. SMC responded with seven runs on five hits in the second inning and cruised to a 12–2, seven-inning victory.

Exizian and Astudillo each drove in two runs during the second-inning outburst. Holding a 7–1 lead after two innings, the Pioneers added a run in the third to extend the advantage to 8–1. Carolina scored once in the fourth, but SMC closed the game with a four-run sixth inning.

Astudillo led the offense with two hits and three RBI in the win. Greyson Wild picked up the victory in his Pioneer debut, pitching four innings and striking out seven.

The two teams will conclude the weekend series with another doubleheader on Sunday at Mooneyham Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Post-Game Interview with Head Coach Tyler Miller