HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. – Sophomore Jay Beavers/Alexandria had two hits and scored two runs, including what proved to be the game-winning run in the seventh inning, to lead Hampden-Sydney College to a 3-1 home-opening and non-conference baseball victory past Christopher Newport University on Wednesday on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Sophomore Owen Tappy/Charlotte, NC gained the pitching win in relief, while classmate Russell Bowles/Moseley earned a save for the host Tigers (2-1), who were playing their first home game in 361 days against the visiting Captains (1-1).

H-SC scored three runs on five hits with no errors in the closely-played contest between the two schools. The Tigers scored one run each in the fifth, seventh and eighth innings, respectively. CNU had one run on five hits, but committed three errors, while scoring its lone run in the fourth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Beavers (2-3) was hit by a pitch to begin the at-bat, advanced to third on a single to right center field by freshman Lucas Burnette/Hurt (1-3), and crossed the plate to tie the contest at 1-1 when senior Matt Muehleck/Martinsville (0-1, RBI) provided a sacrifice fly RBI to left field.
In the bottom of the seventh, Beavers added a double down the left field line with one out, advanced to third on a throwing error to first by the shortstop, and scored the eventual game-winning run courtesy of a wild pitch.

In the bottom of the eighth, senior captain Ryan Clawson/Moseley (1-3) singled up the middle with one out, advanced to second via a throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt at first, advanced to third on a ground ball out and crossed the plate unearned on another throwing error at first by the shortstop. Sophomore captain Ryan Boyce/Suffolk (1-4) added the other hit for the Tigers, a single up the middle in the sixth.

Sophomore Justin Woodall/Mechanicsville started and pitched the first 6.0 solid innings, scattering three hits and one run, earned, with five strikeouts and six walks. Tappy (2-0), this week's Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Pitcher of the Week, earned the victory with one scoreless inning, yielding one hit with two strikeouts and no walks. Junior Kieran Conway/Chesapeake tossed another scoreless inning, allowing one hit with no strikeouts and one walk. Bowles (1) pitched the final shutout inning for the save, yielding no hits with one strikeout and no walks.

H-SC is scheduled to begin ODAC competition this weekend, traveling to play a doubleheader on the road at Washington and Lee University on Saturday, March 6, beginning at 12 p.m. in Lexington.