LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Austin Gammon did not get the hit he was hoping for in the ninth inning of the first game of Sunday's doubleheader at Lynchburg College, but he did get something better.
The sophomore from North Chesterfield (Lloyd C. Bird)produced the run-batted-in in the top of the ninth inning that helped to lift Virginia Wesleyan College's Marlins to a thrilling 7-6 comeback victory in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) doubleheader.
Virginia Wesleyan rode the momentum of the victory into the second game and banged out 15 hits to post a 7-3 victory that completed the sweep of the host Hornets. The victories improved the Marlins' ODAC record to 7-1, tying them for the time being for the league lead with nationally-ranked Shenandoah University and Randolph-Macon College.
Lynchburg (5-12, 2-3) seemingly had matters under control in the opener, connecting for 12 hits that helped create a 6-1 lead after seven innings. But, Virginia Wesleyan (7-4) made it 6-2 with a run in the top of the eighth when Gammon hit a two-out single to score senior Zach Bach(Virginia Beach/Frank W. Cox), who led off with a single.
After the pitching of Riley (Vrginia Beach/Ocean Lakes) and the VWC defense combined to give up just a single in the bottom of the eighth, the Marlins began the rally to win. Senior Scott Montgomery (Virginia Beach/Tallwood), junior Brian Pfund (Montauk, N.Y./East Hampton), and rookie Trey Hanchey (Norfolk/Granby) all stroked consecutive singles to load the bases and force a Hornet pitching change as Brandon Miller (Vesuvius/Rockbridge County) entered for Nick Trio (Stafford/Brooke Point).
VWC's rally continued however, as sophomore Nik Milvo (Norfolk/Chesapeake Indian River) and Bach were both hit by pitches, driving in a pair of runs. Senior Jordan Miller(Chesapeake/Grassfield) singled to left to score two more runs and tie the game at 6-all. Bach advanced to third on a fly ball, bringing Gammon to the plate where he hit into a ground out that scored Bach with what turned out to be the winning run.
Lynchburg had a chance with one more at-bat in the bottom of the ninth. Senior Josh Mason(Chesapeake/Bishop Sullivan Catholic) took over pitching duties for the Marlins and gave up two singles, but diffused the threat by striking out the final two batters he faced.
No rally was needed in game two as the Marlins jumped on the Hornets for a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After Justin Erby (Norfolk/Lake Taylor) led off the inning with a walk, Taylor Erby (Norfolk/Lake Taylor) clobbered a home run to left to put the Marlins on the scoreboard. Bach followed with a triple, advanced to third after walks to Miller and sophomore C.J. Lindsay (Remington/Bealeton Liberty), and scored on a ground out by Mason.
The Marlins led 4-0 before Lynchburg scored twice in the bottom of the fifth inning. But, VWC took back the runs in the top of sixth, scoring twice with the help of singles from rookie Brandon Kussmaul (Virginia Beach/Landstown)and the Erby brothers. Taylor Erby's single scored both runs to give VWC a 6-2 lead.
A Miller double led to a Marlin run in the top of the eighth for a 7-2 advantage, before Lynchburg scored a solo run in the bottom of the ninth.
Junior Sean Greiser (Virginia Beach/Floyd E. Kellam)was the winning pitcher for VWC in the second game, working 2.1 innings after relieving starter Nick Bay (Virginia Beach/Bayside). Greiser and Bay both struck out five batters and gave up a walk each. Greiser (2-1) faced eight batters and did not give up a hit.
Trevor Martin (Stafford/Brooke Point) took the loss after facing just six batters. Miller pitched 6.2 innngs, striking out seven and allowing 10 hits.
VWC used five pitchers in the first game, beginning with senior starter Alex Tucci(Stewartstown, Pa./York Catholic), who worked five innings, striking out two and allowing nine hits. Koonce (2-1) was the winning pitcher, allowing just one hit, and Mason picked up his first save of the season.
Miller (1-4) took the loss, facing six batters. David Goulding (Lynchburg/Brookville) started for the Hornets, working 7.2 innings, striking out six, walking three, and allowing six hits and two earned runs.
Virginia Wesleyan outhit Lynchburg 26-20 in the two games, helped by a 15-6 advantage in the second game. Taylor Erby hit 3-for-6 in the second game, highlighted by the home run. He led the Marlins with a 4-for-8 day, driving in four runs. Bach, Miller, Kussmaul, and Jason Erby all recorded three hits each.
Wil Parsons (Lynchburg/Brookville) topped Lynchburg hitting in the first game with a triple and two singles. Rob Tomasulo (Somers, N.Y./Somers) led the Hornets with two doubles in the second game.
Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Monday, March 23, hosting the Eagles (12-4) of the University of Mary Washington in a non-conference game beginning at 3 p.m.
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