FERRUM, VA. --- A seven-run sixth inning wasn't enough for EMU's baseball men to keep the lead, as host Ferrum hit four homers to grab a 13-11 decision from the Royals.
It was the most runs scored in a loss this season for the men.
Eastern Mennonite slides to 12-15 with the non-conference loss to the USA South-leading Panthers. The men are back in ODAC action this weekend, playing at Guilford College on Saturday and looking for a pair of much-needed wins. The Royals are 4-9 in the conference while Guilford is 4-10.
Ferrum took the first lead on Wednesday on a homerun to lead off the bottom of the first. Adam Marston (Woodstock, Va./Miller School), who played for the Panthers last season, tied it with sacrifice fly in the second. FC went back up in the third, but Marston was there again with a two-out RBI single in the fourth, keeping the score locked at 2-2.
That started a wild string of offense, as the teams combined for seven straight at-bats with at least one runner touching home.
Back-to-back homers pushed the Panthers back in front 5-2. The Royals scored twice in the fifth, but Ferrum then brought home five more to bump the lead to 10-4.
But the men didn't fold. The first four batters reached safely in the top of the sixth and two runs scored. But even after two outs, the rally continued. Ryan Hedrick (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby) and David Meehan (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem) each had two-RBI singles as EMU batted 12 men and scored seven times to jump back on front, 11-10.
Ferrum didn't quit either, as a leadoff double and an EMU error triggered a two-run frame, again switching the lead at 12-11. The Panthers then used their fourth longball of the day to provide an insurance run in the seventh.
FC's pitching closed the door, at one point striking out eight straight Royals while dropping the final ten men to bat.
Joe Hall (Gladys, Va./Rustburg) had a big day, batting 3-5 with two RBIs and two runs. Marston finished 2-2 with a walk, two RBIs and a run against his former teammates. Hedrick had two hits, two runs and two RBIs, while Meehan was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Josh Sydenstricker (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) started on the mound but took a no decision after giving up five runs in 3.2 innings. Reliever Michael Wilhite (Hershey, Pa./Lower Dauphin) was tagged with the loss, being charged with both runs in the seventh. Aaron Hooven (Carroll, Va./Carroll County) pitched the final 3.0, allowing one run.