Mitchelll Keeler is the second player to hit for the cycle this season. Randolph Macon athletics photo

ASHLAND, VA – Freshman Mitchell Keeler hit for the cycle and drove in six runs as Randolph-Macon defeated rival Hampden-Sydney 13-11 on Wednesday. The victory moves R-MC to 7-6 overall and 3-2 in the ODAC.

The Yellow Jackets were led offensively by the heart of the order, as Keeler, Jeb Weymouth, Tim Benjamin, and Jon Witt all collected multi-RBI games.

Keeler got R-MC on the board early with a RBI double in the first, scoring Michael Trentham. After a RBI groundout from Benjamin, Witt then blasted a long solo home run over the left field fence to put the Jackets up 3-0.

After Hampden-Sydney got a run back in the second, Keeler then hit a three run home run for the Yellow Jackets, extending the lead to 6-1.

Randolph-Macon extended the lead to 9-1 in the fourth, thanks to RBI hits from Weymouth, Benjamin, and Witt.

In the bottom of the fifth, Keeler hit a long shot to the right field corner for a RBI triple to complete the rare cycle.

Hampden-Sydney would not going away quietly in the ninth, staging a late rally. After a RBI double off the bat of Jeff Gray, Beau Flinchum hit a three run blast over the left field fence to cut the lead to 13-11.

Randolph-Macon reliever JT Williamson would slam the door on any hopes of a comeback though, earning a strikeout and a flyout to end the game.

Freshman Daniel Byrd gave R-MC a quality start on the mound, tossing six innings of one-run ball, while striking out three. For his efforts, Byrd earned his first collegiate victory.

Keeler finished his record setting day going 5-for-5 with six RBI and four runs scored.

Randolph-Macon will return to action this Saturday when they travel to Eastern Mennonite for an ODAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 P.M.