ASHLAND, Va. – Despite holding a lead in the first third of the game, (RV) Randolph-Macon was unable to hold on to the advantage, as #2 Lynchburg escaped with the win.
The Basics
Score: #2 Lynchburg 7, (RV) Randolph-Macon 4
Venue: Ashland, Va. // Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park // Randolph-Macon College
Records: (RV) Randolph-Macon (11-6, 5-3 ODAC), #2 Lynchburg (16-3-1, 7-0-1 ODAC)
How It Happened:
- In the top of the first, the leadoff man drove a double to right, giving the Hornets their first baserunner in scoring position. After a wild pitch put him on third, he was able to give LYN a 1-0 lead, as a result of a ground ball to the first baseman.
- Carter Schmitt (Glen Allen, Va./St. Christopher's) worked for a one-out walk to get a runner on for RMC in the bottom of the first. Then, with two outs, Maddox Bullock (Roanoke Rapids, N.C./Roanoke Rapids) ripped a double down the right field line, tying the contest 1-1, thanks to the run from Schmitt.
- In the following inning, Jon Quici (Paoli, Pa./Conestoga) grinded for a walk on a full count, putting a man on first. Logan Duff (Forest, Va./Liberty Christian) followed suit with a single to right, giving his team runners on first and second. Once a well-placed bunt from James Baffone (Wilmington, Del./St. Mark's) moved the runners to second and third, Jack Bowles (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) laced a single to left, driving both Quici and Duff in for a 3-1 lead.
- After William Wian (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) retired eight consecutive batters, the Hornets used three-straight singles in the top of the third to close the gap to 2-3.
- The first batter for LYN in the top of the fourth hit a double into the right field corner. In the following at-bat, the Hornets used a single to create a 3-3 game.
- The visitors continued their momentum in the bottom of the fifth, as a single, steal and walk gave the Hornets runners on the corners with one out. They were able retain runners on first and third but get a run from a single, taking a 4-3 advantage. While RMC was able to get the second out of the inning, a sacrifice fly to center from LYN increased the score to 5-3.
- In the top of the eighth, the leadoff man doubled, before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt. The Hornets then used a pinch-hit single to give them a 6-3 cushion. Still with two outs, Lynchburg got a double down the right field line to extend the lead to 7-3.
- Bullock laced his second double of the day, putting a runner on second in the bottom of the eighth. Zach Stolze (Towson, Md./Loyola Blakefield) moved Bullock to third with a sacrifice fly before a ground ball from Quici pushed in RMC's fourth run of the day.
By The Numbers:
- Randolph-Macon only left six runners on base, while Lynchburg left nine on base.
- The Hornets led the Yellow Jackets 14-to-eight in hits and only three-to-two in walks.
- LYN led RMC three-to-two in extra base hits, but it was Bullock's two doubles that led the way.
- Bullock's two doubles marked the first two hits of his career, as he also added an RBI and a run.
- Duff and Schmitt tied for the team-high with two hits, as they also joined for two runs and a walk.
- Bowles and Baffone had the remaining two hits for RMC, but it was Bowles who led Randolph-Macon with two RBI.
- In the start, Wian pitched 4.2 innings, giving up seven hits, five runs and two walks, while striking out two batters.
For the Record
- In the contest, Schmitt registered two hits, giving him 189 in his career. With the mark, Schmitt now ranks ninth in Randolph-Macon baseball history, surpassing Mitchell Keeler (2013-16).
Up Next
Randolph-Macon stays home to welcome York College of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, March 25 at 3:30 p.m.
