Story by student-athlete Ryan Tillman

SEWANEE, Tenn. (March 24, 2017) – The Sewanee baseball team fought back from a late 3-1 deficit to earn a 4-3 walk-off win against Southern Athletic Association (SAA) rival Oglethorpe, Friday, at historic Montgomery Field.

After OU starter Kyle Babb pitched well early, Sewanee finally broke through with three runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings.

The Tigers now sit tied for first place in the SAA with a record of 5-1 in conference action. Sewanee is now 13-10 overall.

Like he has pitched all season, Sewanee starter Drew Mancuso was tremendous. Mancuso tossed 7.1 innings of two-run ball, setting down eight Oglethorpe batters and walking just one. The junior has dealt 23.2 innings in conference play while posting a minuscule 1.90 ERA. 

Freshman Jackson Cook took the mound with one out in the top of the eighth inning in relief for Mancuso. After letting an inherited runner score from second, Cook settled in to record the last five outs for the win. 

Late inning drama ensued when second basemen Riley Brandvold led off the bottom ninth with a single. Senior catcher Ryan Poole was then hit by a pitch which advanced Brandvold to second.  With one out and the game tied 3-3, Justin Thigpen walked senior captain Jackson Cooper to load the bases. History repeated itself when first basemen Beau Allen stepped in the box and saw four balls outside the strike zone, bringing home an exhilarating walk-off victory for the Tigers.

Sewanee and OU will conclude their series with a doubleheader starting at 10:00 a.m., Saturday.