HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. – Junior Tillman Butler (Culpeper) hit a game-winning, walk-off solo home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead Hampden-Sydney College to a thrilling 4-3 non-conference home baseball win past Franklin & Marshall (PA) College on Sunday afternoon on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Butler was pinch-hitting for the Tigers (5-1) and promptly slammed his solo shot over the fence in left center field. Junior Lucas Burnette (Hurt) added two RBIs, while senior captain Ryan Boyce (Suffolk) had one RBI for the hosts, as well. Sophomore Gavin Gregory (Suffolk) gained the pitching win in relief against the visiting Diplomats (1-4)—the Garnet & Grey sweeping the two games played over the weekend.

H-SC scored four runs on nine hits with one error … scoring one run each in the third, fourth, sixth and ninth innings. F&M scored three runs on four hits with one error … scoring one run each in the second, third and sixth innings.

In the third, sophomore Jahiem Green (Stafford) (1-3) walked with two outs, moved to second when classmate Jaxon Masterson (Raleigh, NC) (1-3) was hit by a pitch, and scored when Boyce (2-2, RBI) reached on an RBI infield single to shortstop. In the fourth, senior Ethan Currin (Toano) (1-4) singled, advanced to second when sophomore Christian Lancaster (Danville) (1-3) drew a walk, and moved on to third when freshman Jacob Miller-Bopp (Barhamsville) (1-3) was safe on a bunt single to the left side. Currin crossed the plate courtesy of an RBI ground ball off the bat of Burnette (1-4, 2 RBIs). In the sixth, Boyce opened the at-bat with a walk, stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error … scoring on a clutch, two-out RBI single to right center field by Burnette.

In the ninth, Butler (1-1, RBI) stepped to the plate as a pinch-hitter with one out and slammed his dramatic solo home run to left center for the exciting walk-off triumph. It was his first homer of the season, and the third of his career.

Miller-Bopp started on the mound and pitched the first 3.0 innings, allowing two hits and two runs, one earned, with four strikeouts and two walks. Senior Owen Tappy (Charlotte, NC) tossed 4.2 innings, yielding two hits and one run, earned, with five strikeouts and one walk. Gregory (3-0) pitched the final 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing no hits with two strikeouts and two walks.

H-SC is scheduled to play at home again against non-conference opponent William Peace (NC) University on Wednesday, March 1, at 3 p.m. on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Please be sure to check our website at hscathletics.com for any weather-related schedule adjustments throughout the campaign.