Box Score Ashland, Va --- Jake Fletcher broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning with a double, to drive in Zach Broaddus and give R-MC a 4-3 win over St. Mary's (MD) on opening day at Hugh Stephens Park at Estes Field Saturday afternoon. The Jackets are now 1-0 on the season, while Seahawks dropped to 0-1.
Randolph-Macon jumped out to an early lead in the bottom half of the second inning, scoring three runs. After Michael Helbig drew a lead-off walk, senior catcher Matt Musser opened the scoring roping an RBI triple down the right field line. Nate Meiners then drove in Musser by grounding out to second and Preseason All-American Jordan Walton capped the scoring with an RBI double to right center, driving Fletcher.
St. Mary's fought its way back into the contest, stringing together five hits and two runs in the top half of the sixth, to cut the lead to one.
The Seahawks then managed to tie the game in the top of the seventh. John Stewart led off with a walk, before Cory Napier knotted things up with an RBI double to left center that just missed being a homerun.
The Yellow Jackets had their chance to win in regulation, as Brian Jordan hit a lead-off triple in the bottom of the seventh. After a strikeout and an intentional walk to Musser, the Seahawks would find their way out of the jam and enter extra innings with the game tied.
In the bottom of the eighth, Broaddus registered a one out single in which he beat out a throw from the shortstop. Fletcher followed with a double to left center to seal the victory for R-MC.
Musser paced the Jackets at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with an RBI triple, a run, a stolen base, and an intentional walk after earning the opening day start behind the plate. Broaddus went 2-for-5 with an RBI, batting in the lead-off spot.
Napier led the Seahawks with two hits and an RBI, while Keith Johnson and Nick Urso each recorded two hits on the day as well.
JT Williamson picked up the victory on the mound for the Yellow Jackets, throwing two innings and striking out one, while giving up one run. Williamson relieved starter Jamie Hendrick in the seventh inning. Hendrick tossed six innings, giving up just two earned runs and striking out six, while walking one batter.
Wick Eisenburg took the loss for the Seahawks, allowing the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth.
The latter half of today's double-header was cancelled due to inclement weather and will be rescheduled for a later time and date.
Randolph-Macon returns to action Wednesday, February 15th when the men travel to Newport News to take on Christopher Newport. The first pitch is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start.
