Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg senior Garrett Jackson slugged a homer and a single in Lynchburg's 9-8 win over York (Pa.) on Sunday afternoon. 

Donning their Sunday-red jerseys, the 15th-ranked Hornets rolled Brandon Pond out onto the mound as they searched for their eighth win in a row and second three-game sweep of the season. Pond allowed his first run of the season but then forced a double play and a strikeout to escape the inning. 

The Hornets nearly instantly gave Pond some run support and hung four on the Spartans' starter. Jackson drove in Cameron Lane with an opposite-field homer. Later in the inning, PJ Alvanos brought Avery Neaves and Gavin Collins home with a single. 

Pond retired the next six batters he faced until allowing a hit in the third. He worked into the sixth inning with three strikeouts. Angel Collazo relieved Pond in the sixth, but Pond left as the pitcher of record with his team up 5-3. 

In the bottom of the frame Lynchburg exploded for its second four-run inning of the day. Ryan Long led things off with a walk. Carrson Atkins, Lane, and Jackson kept things rolling with RBIs in three-straight plate appearances. Alvanos drove in the fourth run of the inning with a double and put Lynchburg up 9-3. 

The Spartans nearly closed the six-run deficit with five runs over the next two innings. 

Grayson Thurman stepped onto the mound for the ninth inning and his first three-out save opportunity of the season. Despite only needing three outs, Thurman struck out four men as one batter reached on a dropped third strike.

His four-strikeout save secured his fifth save of the season, Lynchburg's eighth win in a row, and Pond's third win. Thurman is tied for the most saves in Division-III baseball, and the Hornets are the eighth team in DIII to reach 10 wins in 2022. 

The Hornets walked eight times in the 9-8 victory and now have drawn 73 base on balls, good for a top-10 mark in DIII.

No. 15 Lynchburg (10-1) visits Averett on Tuesday, Mar. 8 at 2 p.m. and look to keep the winning streak alive.

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--LYN--