FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Yellow Jackets posted a 19 run differential, good for their most in two years, en route to closing out the regular season with a seven-inning shutout.
The Basics
Score: (RV) Randolph-Macon 19, Methodist 0
Venue: Fayetteville, N.C. // Armstrong-Shelly Field // Methodist University
Records: (RV) Randolph-Macon (24-12, 13-7 ODAC), Methodist (18-22, 13-8 USA South)
How It Happened
- In the top of the first, Jack Bowles (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) placed down a bunt to third for a leadoff single. Zach Wernoski (Chapel Hill, N.C./East Chapel Hill) took two pitches and was then hit by the third. Once Carter Schmitt (Glen Allen, Va./St. Christopher's) loaded the bases after working a walk with two strikes, Logan Duff (Forest, Va./Liberty Christian) ripped a single through the left side, driving two in for a 2-0 lead. Zach Stolze (Towson, Md./Loyola Blakefield) followed with a sacrifice bunt, allowing a ground ball from James Baffone (Wilmington, Del./St. Mark's) to push Schmitt home for a 3-0 advantage.
- With one out, Duff poked a single to left to get a baserunner on. Stolze was able to move Duff to second and insert himself on first after a Monarch error. With two strikes, Justin Lanouette (Chantilly, Va./Freedom) laced a ball through the left side, driving Duff in to extend RMC's lead to 4-0.
- Bowles started the top of the forth with an opposite field single. He was moved to second on a wild pitch, allowing Wernoski to fill his spot on first with a walk. Bowles and Wernoski took second and third on another wild pitch, permitting Duff to smoke a ball to right, giving him two more RBI and his team a 6-0 cushion.
- Jon Quici (Paoli, Pa./Conestoga) drew a five pitch walk to begin the top of the fifth and then stole second. Caleb Hawton-Henley (Fairfax., Va./St. John's Prep) followed with a walk and then Quici scored from second on a wild pitch, increasing RMC's lead to 7-0. Hawton-Henley was then on third and was able to score on an RBI single to center from Bowles, making the score 8-0. Two pitches later, Wernoski increased the count to 9-0, as his double of the left-center fence pushed Bowles across the plate. Schmitt went on to unload a homer over the right field fence, establishing his team's 11th run of the evening.
- Elias Brooks (Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen) came up in a pinch hit spot in the top of the sixth and drove a single to left. Hawton-Henley drew a walk as the next batter, and he and Brooks were pushed over after another wild pitch. Bowles jumped on the opportunity, as his single through the right side gave the Yellow Jackets two more runs for a 13-0 edge. Another wild pitch put Bowles on second and an infield hustle single from Wernoski resulted in Jackets on the corners. Schmitt loaded the bases with a walk and then Bowles scored on an infield ground ball from Duff, extending the advantage to 14-0. The Jackets went station-to-station on a single from Baffone, giving the Lemon and Black run 15. The team got its 16th run as a result of a single to left from Lanouette, followed by its 17th run on a walk from Brooks. The Lemon and Black took their 18th run on a fielder's choice from Hawton-Henley. Brian Fleming (Rehoboth, Del./Cape Henlopen) was hit by a pitch with two strikes to reload the bases for Mac Larkin (Chadd Ford, Va./PDG Academy), who got his first career RBI on a HBP, ending the sixth with a 19-0 score.
By The Numbers
- Randolph-Macon tied its season-high with 19 runs, while out-hitting the Monarchs 15-to-two.
- RMC led 18-to-none in RBI. Its 18 RBI represents the highest in 2026.
- The Yellow Jackets have posted 15-or-more runs and RBI in each of their last two on the road.
- The Lemon and Black close the regular season with 10 wins in their last 11 games.
- Freshman pitcher Ryan Hummel (Virginia Beach, Va./Cape Henry Collegiate) had the most efficient start of his career, striking out five batters and holding the Monarchs scoreless over five complete innings. He only allowed two hits and did not give up a walk.
- Bowles led the way for his team, leading the game with four hits, while tying for a game-high four runs. He also added three RBI in his five plate appearances.
- Duff paced the game with five RBI, marking the highest in any game this season for the catcher. He also had three hits, two walks and a run.
- Baffone and Lanouette each had two hits and two RBI, representing the only other Yellow Jackets to register multiple in each category.
- Wernoski tied for a game-high four runs scored, while Hawton-Henley also added two.
- Larkin tallied his first collegiate RBI in the top of the sixth inning.
For the Record:
- With their win today, the Yellow Jackets finish the regular season with a 24-12 record. With the win total, RMC has now reached 23-or-more regular season wins in each of its last 13 seasons, excluding the 2020 condensed COVID-19 season.
- Furthermore, with the team finishing above a .500 win percentage, the Lemon and Black have eclipsed the mark in 17 consecutive seasons. The program has not finished below an even record since the 2009 season, in which the team went 18-19.
- With his three runs in today's contest, Schmitt now has 139 in his career. With the mark, he tied Cole Migliorini (2015-18) for the fifth most in program history. The senior needs seven more runs to surpass Jeb Weymouth (145, 2010-13) for the fourth most in RMC history. Third, second and first are occupied by Mike Nickles (147), Jeff Butler (161) and Ryan Duphorn (205).
- Schmitt also tallied two walks, giving him 115 in his career. He only needs two walks to surpass Ryan Duphorn (2017-21) for the most in program history.
- The Yellow Jackets' 19 run win differential is its largest since April 20, 2024, in which the team beat Eastern Mennonite 23-2.
Up Next
As the third seed in the ODAC Tournament, RMC will host sixth-seeded Virginia Wesleyan in the ODAC Quarterfinals. Game one is set for Saturday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m in Ashland on Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park.
