Marlins Split Conference Opener against Washington and Lee
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Wesleyan College baseball team hosted Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) rival Washington and Lee for a Saturday double header. This marks the start of conference play for the Marlins. The Generals took the first game 5-3 and the Marlins came back to win the second of the back to back 8-4.
Game 1 – 5-3 Washington and Lee Victory
The Generals would strike first in this contest after centerfielder Luke Myer singled, which brought in Scott Simmons. The Marlins responded in the bottom of the second with a monster Randy Neiszhome run to center, which knotted the game at one.
W&L applied more pressure in the top of the third with a key hit from Kyle Ruedisili who doubled to right-center, driving in two more runs. The scoring barrage wouldn't end however, as the Generals scored again on a throwing error by third baseman Matt Murray, which allowed Ruedisili to race home from second base. W&L would add another run in the top of the fourth on a Chadwick Feeley double.
Trailing 5-1 in the sixth inning, the Marlins cut the lead by two runs as Neisz doubled to right which brought home Justin Erby and placed Deon Hammond on third. C.J. Lindsay would follow with a sacrifice fly, which plated Hammond.
VWC would show life in the seventh after bringing up the potential go-ahead run to the plate, butTaylor Erby would ground out into a fielder's choice ending the Marlins threat.
Washington and Lee would maintain control and secure the victory.
Neisz would finish with two hits and two RBI in the first game as David Kennedy and Lindsay also added two base knocks.
Game 2 - 8-4 Virginia Wesleyan Victory
The Marlins produced an offensive explosion in the bottom of the first, which was aided by seven walks. Free passes to Nik Milvo and Matt Murray plated two runs as the bases were loaded. Deon Hammond provided a bases clearing double, which gave VWC a 6-0 lead.
The Marlins tacked on single runs in the third and fifth frames, which came from Hammond and Neisz respectively.
Washington and Lee (11-6/1-1) would make things interesting in the final frame after getting timely hits from Cory Paton and Feeley, which brought W&L within four runs. Riley Koonce would stop the bleeding and help preserve a Marlins victory.
Joe Bobiak (3-0) allowed just one earned run in five innings pitched. He allowed six hits and walked none, which striking out two.
Hammond finished with two hits and four RBI. Austin Gammon and Nick Ott only allowed two baserunners, while giving up zero runs in 3 innings of relief work. Justin Erby stole two bases in the contest.
Virginia Wesleyan (5-4/1-1) hosts No. 18 Mary Washington Monday at 3 p.m. in a non-conference match-up.