For immediate release – 2/7/2014 - #188
Hornet Bats Lead Way to Doubleheader Sweep of Averett

DANVILLE, VA—The Lynchburg College baseball team started the 2014 campaign with a pair of non-conference wins over Averett University Friday afternoon, 17-4 and 3-2, courtesy of effective hitting in clutch moments.

Lynchburg jumped out to a quick start in game one, batting around in the first inning while taking a 6-0 lead into Averett's first at bat.

A fielding error, Lincoln Evans' bunt single, and walk loaded the bases for Wil Parsons. The junior third baseman doubled to center to plate Jake Tanner and Joe Tomasulo. Jay Kenyon singled in Pat Harris following Parsons' knock to give Lynchburg the 3-0 edge.

KC Caldwell grounded into an RBI fielder's choice before Drew Taylor doubled in two more Hornets for the 6-0 advantage.

Parsons had a career day in game one, setting new personal marks for hits and runs. He finished the early game with a 5-for-5 day at the plate, scoring five runs and driving in three more.

Kenyon continued his strong finish to the 2013 season with a 3-for-4 day in game one while driving in two RBI.

Martin Henderlite struggled early on, but settled in and got the decision for LC. Brandon Miller pitched three strong innings to close out the first game.

The Hornets were held to one hit through four innings by Taylor Davis and trailed 1-0 heading into the fifth inning. Walks to Brenden LaPorte and Rob Tomasulo sandwiched an Evans' single to load the bases with one out for Taylor. The sophomore, Taylor, singled to center, scoring LaPorte and Evans for a 2-1 lead.

David Goulding, making his first collegiate start, carried a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning before encountering some trouble from the Cougar lineup. He finished with five strikeouts and six walks in five and two-thirds innings.

After striking out the first two hitters, Daniel Gromkoski singled and Joshua Hatcher worked a walk against the freshman. Lynchburg turned to Miller out of the 'pen, but Chatham Currie singled in Gromkoski to tie the game.

The hero of game one, Parsons led off the seventh with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Following a passed ball, Kenyon came off the pine to pinch hit. The starting catcher from game one singled through the left side to win the game for LC.

Colton Steber entered in the seventh, striking out two Cougars in his college debut for the save.

Davis struck out four and walked two for Averett (2-3) across five innings of work.

Lynchburg (2-0) travels to the Methodist Diamond Invitational next weekend for three games. The Hornets face Christopher Newport University (0-0) Friday at noon.