SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Yellow Jackets picked up a win in their first NCAA game of 2026, thanks to two towering home runs from
Justin Lanouette (Chantilly, Va./Freedom) and
Zach Wernoski (Chapel Hill, N.C./East Chapel Hill).
The Basics
Score: (2) Randolph-Macon 6, (3) Trinity, 5
Venue: Schenectady, N.Y. // Central Park "A" Diamond // Russell Sage College
Records: (RV) Randolph-Macon (27-14, 13-7 ODAC), Trinity CT (27-14, 8-4 NESCAC)
How It Happened
- With two outs in the bottom of the first, Carter Schmitt (Glen Allen, Va./St. Christopher's) was hit by a pitch. As a result of a pickoff attempt from the catcher, Schmitt was able to scamper to third. Logan Duff (Forest, Va./Liberty Christian) took advantage and doubled off the right field fence, giving his team a 1-0 lead.
- Again with two outs, James Baffone (Wilmington, Del./St. Mark's) drew a walk and then stole second in the bottom of the second. The Yellow Jackets were able to cash in for a 2-0 lead, as Caleb Hawton-Henley (Fairfax, Va./St. John's Prep) drilled a ground ball at the third baseman to drive Baffone home.
- The Bantams got on the board in the top of the third, as a walk and deep single put a runner in scoring position. Baffone was able to retire the next batter on a ground ball, but one run came across. Trinity went on to even the contest 2-2, as a result of a shot down the right field line.
- Wernoski was hit as the first batter in the bottom of the third. Once he stole second, he went on to take third on a wild pitch. Duff tallied his second RBI of the day, as his ground out helped RMC recapture a 3-2 lead.
- On the first pitch in the bottom of the fourth, Lanouette rifled a homer over the left field fence to extend the advantage to 4-2.
- A single and a walk put Bantams on first and second in the top of the fifth. An infield hit that followed loaded the bases, which led to a 3-4 score, once a wild pitch hit the backstop. Trinity capitalized on its chance, as it used a single into the right-center gap to take a 5-4 edge.
- In the bottom of the seventh, Jack Bowles (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) drew a four-pitch walk. The junior took second on a steal and then Wernoski buried a homer off the scoreboard for his must clutch hit of the season, pushing the Lemon and Black ahead, 6-5.
By The Numbers
- Trinity out-hit Randolph-Macon eight-to-seven, but RMC won the error battle, one-to-two.
- RMC only struck out three times, while Trinity batters fanned eight times.
- The Lemon and Black also drew four walks, while only giving up two.
- Carter Schuma (Midlothian, Va./Trinity Episcopal) pitched three full innings, giving up only three hits and one earned run.
- William Wian (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) followed with 4.1 innings of work, giving up three runs on five hits, including four scoreless innings.
- Cory Fisher (Salisbury, Md./James M. Bennett) closed the game, as the freshman retired five of his six batters faced and did not allow a hit.
- Lanouette's home run was the first of his career, giving him an RBI in eight-straight games.
- Wernoski's two-run homer was the fourth home run of his season and sixth of his career. He also tied for a game-high two RBI and was the only player on the squad to score twice.
- Duff matched Wernoski with two RBI, as Duff was the only Yellow Jacket with two hits.
- Zach Stolze (Towson, Md./Loyola Blakefield) had a single and a walk, while Bowles posted a walk and a run.
For the Record:
- With baseball's berth in the 2026 Regionals, Randolph-Macon College becomes the only Division III school in the country to have its baseball, men's basketball and football teams qualify for the NCAA Postseason Tournament in four consecutive seasons.
- With his run scored, Schmitt now has 147 in his career. With the mark, he tied Mike Nickles (2017-21) for the third-most in program history. He only trails Jeff Butler (161, 2016-19) and Ryan Duphorn (205, 2017-21).
- Furthermore, with his double, Schmitt now has 216 hits in his career, surpassing Jordan Walton (2009-12) for the second most in program history. The senior only trails Jeff Butler (236, 2016-19) for the most in RMC history.
- After being hit by a pitch, Wernoski has now gotten on base in 24 consecutive games. Additionally, his home run gives him a hit in 14 of his last 15 games.
- With his walk, Bowles has now reached base in each of his last 18 games.
- Out of their 10 Regional appearances, the Lemon and Black have now played in eight different states. PA (twice), VA (twice), GA, MD, NC, NJ, NY and TN.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets will take on fourth-seeded Penn State Harrisburg at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 at 2:30 p.m. on Central Park "A" Diamond in the winner's bracket.
