HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Senior captain Trey Karnes (Mechanicville) hit a home run, and freshman Christian Chambers (Midlothian) collected two hits, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 5-4 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) baseball decision at home to nationally-ranked No. 5 the University of Lynchburg on Tuesday afternoon on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Junior Ethan Currin (Toano) and freshman Christian Lancaster (Danville) each added an RBI, while junior Owen Tappy (Charlotte, NC) took the pitching decision for the host Tigers (14-6, 7-3) against the visiting Hornets (18-4, 8-0). The result stopped a recent eight-game winning streak by the Garnet & Grey.

H-SC scored four runs on six hits with two errors … scoring three runs in the second inning and one run in the ninth. Lynchburg scored five runs on eight hits with two errors … scoring one run each in the first and second innings, and three runs in the decisive eighth.

Highlights for the Tigers included a no-doubt, first-pitch solo home run to left center field by Karnes (1-4, RBI) to lead-off the bottom of the ninth and bring H-SC within a run during the closely-played contest. It was second homer of the season for Karnes. In addition, Currin (1-4, RBI) provided an RBI single in the second that plated freshman Johnny Oates II (Chester) (1-3), who had walked, before Lancaster (0-3, RBI) added a run-scoring ground ball that scored Chambers (2-4), who had singled. The other run in the inning was scored unearned by Currin when senior Ethan Badin (Richmond) reached base courtesy of a fielding error at third base. The Garnet & Grey led 3-2 after two innings, and it stayed that way until the eighth.

Tappy (2-4) took the mound decision in relief with 2.0 innings, allowing four hits and three runs, all earned, with three strikeouts and one walk. Freshman Gavin Gregory (Suffolk) started and pitched the first 2.0 innings, yielding two hits and two runs, one earned, with two strikeouts and five walks. Freshman Lance Tate (Stanardsville) tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with four strikeouts and one walk. Sophomore Ryan Portes (Midlothian) pitched the final 1.0 scoreless inning, yielding one hit with one strikeout and no walks.

H-SC will play again on Wednesday, March 30, hosting Christopher Newport University for a non-conference game at 3:30 p.m. at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Please be sure to check our website at hscathletics.com for the latest weather-related schedule adjustments.