Hampden-Sydney Splits Doubleheader At No. 9 Shenandoah; Winning Opener 5-3 Before Dropping Nightcap 13-6

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WINCHESTER, Va. – Senior Owen Tappy (Charlotte, NC) pitched a complete game victory with seven strikeouts in the first game, while sophomore Christian Lancaster (Danville) had three hits in the second game, as Hampden-Sydney College split an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) baseball doubleheader on the road at defending ODAC Champion and nationally-ranked No. 9 Shenandoah University on Saturday afternoon in Winchester. Senior team captain Ryan Boyce (Suffolk) had two hits and two RBIs in the 5-3 opener, while junior Ryan Portes (Midlothian) took the mound setback in the 13-6 nightcap for the visiting Tigers (7-7, 1-1) against the host Hornets (11-2, 1-1).

In game one, H-SC scored five runs on five hits with one error … scoring two runs in the third inning and three runs in the eighth. SU scored three runs on 12 hits with two errors … scoring two runs in the fifth inning and two runs in the eighth.

In the third, sophomore Grayson Harris (Moseley) (RBI) drew a one-out walk and advanced to second base when classmate Jaxon Masterson (Raleigh, NC) was hit-by-a-pitch. Boyce (2-5, 2 RBIs) followed with an RBI double down the left field line to plate G. Harris, and after a walk to junior Tillman Butler (Culpeper) loaded the bases … senior team captain Jay Beavers (Alexandria) (1-3, RBI) drew a two-out walk to force Masterson across the plate for an early 2-0 lead.

In the eighth, Beavers walked as the leadoff batter and moved to second on a single to third base by Lancaster (1-5), and both advanced on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Christian Chambers (Midlothian) (1-3). Beavers scored courtesy of a wild pitch, before junior Trent Jones (Virginia Beach) drew another walk. Lancaster scored on a sacrifice fly RBI off the bat of G. Harris. Jones then stole second ahead of yet another walk, this time to Masterson, before Boyce singles through the right side to plate Jones for a 5-2 advantage.

Tappy (1-0) was excellent on the mound for the Tigers, going the 9.0-inning distance and scattering 12 hits and three runs, two earned, with seven strikeouts and one walk.

In game two, H-SC scored six runs on 10 hits with three errors … scoring one run in the third inning and five runs in the fourth. SU scored 13 runs on 14 hits with two errors … scoring five runs in the second inning, three runs in the fourth, two runs in the fifth, one run in the seventh and two runs in the eighth.

In the third, junior Lucas Burnette (Hurt) (1-4, RBI) reached on a fielding error and later scored on an RBI ground ball by G. Harris (2 RBIs).

In the fourth, Boyce (1-5) led off with a single to left field, followed by a walk to Butler, before a run-scoring single through the left side by Lancaster (3-5, RBI) plated Boyce. Following a walk to Beavers that loaded the bases, Butler crossed the plate when Burnette reached on a fielder's choice RBI, and Lancaster scored when freshman Jack Wilson (Petersburg) (2-4, RBI) added an RBI single to right field. After a single by Jones (2-4), Burnette crossed the plate when G. Harris added another ground ball RBI, and Wilson scored when Masterson (1-5, RBI) added an infield RBI single back to the pitcher for a 6-5 advantage.

The Garnet & Grey used four pitchers, as sophomore Gavin Gregory (Suffolk) started on the mound and pitched the first 1.2 innings and allowed three hits and five runs, all earned, with no strikeouts and four walks. Portes (1-1) followed with 2.1 innings, yielding five hits and three runs, two earned, with one strikeout and no walks. Freshman Sterling Austin (Petersburg) tossed 2.2 innings and allowed four hits and three runs, two earned, with two strikeouts and three walks. Classmate Colton Harris (Stuarts Draft) pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing two hits and two runs, one earned, with one strikeout and no walks.

H-SC will return home to welcome non-conference opponent and nationally-ranked No. 18 Christopher Newport University on Tuesday, March 14, at 3:30 p.m. on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium.