MILLINGTON, Tenn. (April 23) -- The first six batters in Hendrix College's lineup recorded multiple-hit performances as the Warriors exploded for 14 hits in an 8-1 victory, eliminating DePauw University from the SCAC Tournament on Saturday afternoon at USA Stadium.
Hendrix first year left-hander Nick Richardson improved to 3-2 on the year after a quality outing on the hill. Richardson worked his way in and out of jams in the first and second innings, stranding six runners on base. He settled down after the second and allowed just two hits over the next four frames. Richardson struck out seven batters and allowed just five hits on the day.
DePauw struck first in the second inning when junior Sam Swafford led off with a single and eventually crossed the plate on a two-out single from junior Rob McPike.
Hendrix then stole the lead with a three-run spurt in the fifth inning. Junior Clark Sims got things started with a base knock up the middle. First year Collin Radack then singled through the left side and junior Kyle Raskin layed down a bunt single to load the bases.
First year Jacob Perschke reached on a fielder's choice to score Sims, Raskin was forced out at second base on the play. Perschke then stole second and the throw down got away from the shortstop to allow Radack to score. Junior Andrew Thames then hammered a line drive to the right center field gap to score Perschke from second and give Hendrix the 3-1 advantage.
Hendrix added another run in its next at bat when Perschke walked with the bases loaded and two outs to push first year Nick Richardson across the plate.
The Warriors protected their 4-1 lead by getting back into the dugout in a hurry. First year right-hander Justin Mosbey took the hill in the seventh and retired six consecutive batters to earn his second save of the year. He struck out his first batter and forced two fly outs in the seventh, then reeled in a fly out and two grounders in the eighth. Mosbey's fly out in the eighth came off an outstanding grab off the left field wall by junior Nathan Harr.
Hendrix padded its lead and sealed the deal with a two-out rally for four runs in the eighth. Raskin ignited the rally when he reached on an error at shortstop. Perschke and Thames followed with singles to right and left center, scoring Raskin. Senior Jeff Forgerson fooled the right side of the infield by laying down a bunt to juice the bases. Harr then beat out a single up the middle to score Perschke and Thames. Forgerson advanced to third on the play and then scored on a wild pitch.
Hendrix now owns a 17-20 overall record while DePauw falls to 16-20 on the season. The Warriors improve to 2-0 against the Tigers in SCAC Tournament play as Hendrix took a 10-7 win over DePauw in the opening game of the 2009 SCAC Tournament. Hendrix also improves to 7-3 all-time in SCAC postseason play.
The Warriors now take on #1E-Rhodes College in another do-or-die affair at 8 p.m. CT tonight. Hendrix fell to Rhodes, 5-4, in the tourney opener on Thursday. Rhodes survived a 21-inning (NCAA-DIII record) game against Oglethorpe and then lost a 4-2 contest to Trinity in today's opener to reach the game against Hendrix.
Both teams will play for a chance to face Trinity in Sunday's 2011 SCAC Championship game. The winner tonight will need to take down Trinity twice on Sunday to earn the SCAC crown.