Chen Drives in Game-Winner for RMC Baseball vs. VWU

ASHLAND, Va. – Sophomore Nathan Chen (South Riding, Va./Freedom) delivered a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to knock in senior Myles Webb (Norfolk, Va./Granby) with the game-winning run as the Randolph-Macon baseball team nipped Virginia Wesleyan 9-8 in ODAC action on Tuesday afternoon.

The Basics

Score: Randolph-Macon 9, Virginia Wesleyan 8

Venue: Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park

Records: RMC 13-5, 7-1 ODAC; VWU 13-9, 5-3 ODAC

How It Happened:

  • With the score knotted at 8-8, Webb was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the ninth. Freshman Zach Wernoski (Chapel Hill, N.C./East Chapel Hill) laid down a sacrifice bunt to third. No one covered third, so Webb kept running and ended up at third. Chen hit a fly ball to left that was deep enough to bring home Webb with the game-winner.
  • The Yellow Jackets started the scoring in the first. Freshman Jon Quici (Paoli, Pa./Conestoga) reached on an error, stole second and went to third when junior Aaron Lautenschlager (Purcellville, Va./Loudoun Valley) reached on an error. Quici scored on a two-out base hit by Webb to give RMC a 1-0 edge. Webb stole second and the errant throw by the catcher allowed Lautenschlager to score from third as the lead grew to 2-0.
  • RMC added a run in the third. Lautenschlager drew a leadoff walk, went to second on a passed ball and came home on a single by junior Chaz Harvey (Charlottesville, Va./The Miller School)
  • After the Marlins put up one in the fourth, the Yellow Jackets responded in the fifth. Harvey had a leadoff double, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Webb to give RMC a 4-1 advantage. Webb stole second, and eventually came home on a sacrifice fly by senior Grayson Bush (Charlottesville, Va./Monticello) to make it 5-1.
  • VWU added one in the top of the sixth before RMC answered in the bottom of the frame. Quici had an infield single and went to third on an errant throw when sophomore Carter Schmitt (Glen Allen, Va./St. Christopher's) reached on a fielder's choice. Lautenschlager homered to left center, his second of the season, to give the home team an 8-2 lead.
  • The Marlins scored five in the seventh and tied it with an unearned run in the top of the ninth.

By The Numbers

  • RMC extended its win streak to six games.
  • The Yellow Jackets are 12-0 when leading after seven innings.
  • RMC is 7-0 when hitting at least one home run.
  • The Yellow Jackets are 7-0 when scoring in the first inning.
  • Lautenschlager went 2 for 4 with a walk, three runs and three RBI. He leads the team with 12 multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI games.
  • Quici was 2 for 3 with a walk, was hit by a pitch, and scored twice. He has reached base in 17 straight games.
  • Wernoski was hit by a pitch and has reached base in 16 straight contests.
  • Webb went 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBI. He extended his hitting streak to 12 games and is second on the team with 10 multi-hit games.
  • Harvey was 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI.

Up Next

RMC will travel to Mary Washington on Thursday, March 28, for a 3 p.m. contest.