ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Junior Tillman Butler (Culpeper) and freshman Greer Farr (Southern Shores, NC) each had two RBIs, while sophomore Grayson Harris (Moseley) collected two hits, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 12-11 non-conference baseball decision on the road at North Carolina Wesleyan University on Wednesday in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Freshman Alex Fitz-Hugh (Chesterfield) took the pitching setback in relief for the visiting Tigers (6-6) against the host Battling Bishops (10-3), who scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth for their walk-off victory.

H-SC scored 11 runs on nine hits with no errors … scoring three runs in the first inning, two runs in the fifth and six runs in the eighth. NCWU scored 12 runs on 13 hits with three errors … scoring one run in the third inning, three runs in the fourth, three runs in the seventh, two runs in the eighth and three runs in the ninth.

In the first, G. Harris (2-3, RBI) walked to open the contest and stole second base ahead of a walk to sophomore Jaxon Masterson (Raleigh, NC) (1-4), and each runner advanced a base on a passed ball before senior team captain Ryan Boyce (Suffolk) (1-4) drew a walk, as well, to load the bases with no outs. G. Harris scored on a one-out, sacrifice fly RBI off the bat of Butler (1-3, 2 RBIs), and after Boyce stole second, both he and Masterson crossed the plate on a two-run single to center field by Farr (1-2, 2 RBIs) for the early 3-0 advantage.

In the fifth, sophomore Christian Chambers (Midlothian) (1-6) reached on an error and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Butler and Farr each walked to once-again load the bases with no outs. Sophomore Christian Lancaster (Danville) (1-2, RBI) drew a one-out walk that allowed Chambers to score, and G. Harris walked with two outs to allow Butler to score as the Tigers led 5-4.

In the eighth, Masterson and Boyce each walked to begin the frame, and Masterson crossed the plate on an RBI single to right field by Butler. Boyce and Butler each advanced a base on an error, before Boyce scored on a wild pitch with Butler moving to third base. Farr and senior team captain Jay Beavers (Alexandria) (1-4) each drew walks, as well, to load the bases before Butler crossed the plate when junior Trent Jones (Virginia Beach) was hit-by-a-pitch. Farr would score on another error, while Beavers and Jones would cross the plate courtesy of another wild pitch to put the visitors ahead 11-7.

The Garnet & Grey used eight pitchers on the day, as freshman Sterling Austin (Petersburg) started on the mound and pitched the first 2.2 innings and allowed two hits and one run, earned, with two strikeouts and one walk. Classmate Michael Hagin (Richmond) tossed two-thirds of an inning and allowed two hits and three runs, all earned, with no strikeouts and two walks. Freshman Jacob Miller-Bopp (Barhamsville) also tossed two-thirds of an inning and yielded no hits and no runs with no strikeouts and two walks. Classmate Colton Harris (Stuarts Draft) pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Senior Davis Ferguson (Rocky Mount) tossed 1.0 inning, allowing one hit and three runs, all earned, with one strikeout and two walks. Farr pitched 1.0 inning, yielding four hits and two runs, both earned, with one strikeout and no walks. Fitz-Hugh (0-1) tossed one-third of an inning, allowing one hit and three runs, all earned, with no strikeouts and two walks. Freshman Kyle Woodall (Mechanicsville) tossed one-third of an inning, yielding one hit and no runs with no strikeouts and two walks.

H-SC will begin Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) competition this weekend on the road at defending ODAC Tournament Champion and nationally-ranked No. 9 Shenandoah University on Saturday, March 11—a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. on Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium in Winchester.