HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA -- Senior captain Ryan Boyce (Suffolk) had two hits, including a solo home run, and three RBIs, to lead Hampden-Sydney College to a home-opening 5-4 victory over non-conference opponent Franklin and Marshall, Saturday afternoon at Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Senior Justin Woodall (Mechanicsville) had a strong showing on the mound, going five innings, striking out seven, while only giving up two hits and one run. Sophomore Jaxon Masterson (Raleigh, NC) drove in a run with one hit and fellow classmate Christian Lancaster (Danville) went two for three at the plate while freshman Alex Fitz-Hugh (Chesterfield) picked up his first career save for the Tigers (4-1) against the visiting Diplomats (1-3).

H-SC scored five runs on six hits with two errors … Scoring all its runs in the final three innings, with one in the fourth, three in the fifth, and one in the sixth. Franklin and Marshall scored four runs off four hits with one error, scoring three of its four runs in the final frame, with the other run coming in the fourth inning.  

In the fourth, Boyce (2-4, 3 RBI) fought in a 2-2 count, fouling off three straight pitches before driving an inside fastball over the left field fence to tie the game at one all.
H-SC took its first lead of the afternoon in the fifth inning, as senior Jay Beavers (Alexandria) (1-2) took advantage of an errant throw by the third baseman trying to catch him off the bag, allowing him to scamper home and take a 2-1 lead. The next batter, Boyce pushed the Tiger lead to three with a two RBI double into the right-center field gap, scoring Grayson Harris (Moseley) and Masterson (1-3, 1 RBI).

In the sixth inning, the Tigers added one more as junior Tillman Butler (Culpepper) came home to score on a bases-loaded walk by Masterson.

H-SC used four pitchers on the day, with Woodall going five, before being replaced by senior Owen Tappy (Charlotte, NC) for an inning of work, retiring all three batters he faced with one strikeout. followed by senior Tymothy Hart (Powhatan) who faced three before the hour-long rain delay. Fitz-Hugh finished the game by throwing an inning, getting a line out to the right fielder to end the day.

The Tigers will be back in action on Sunday, February 26, when they take Franklin and Marshall in the final game of the non-conference series. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 at Yank Bernier Field at Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium