Salem, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg baseball team split its doubleheader with Roanoke College on the road Saturday afternoon as the Hornets took Game 1, 13-3, but fell in Game 2, 2-1 in a pitchers' duel. 

The Hornets (7-7, 1-1) defeated the Maroons (5-4, 1-1) for the first time in their last nine meetings behind solid offensive performances from freshman Gavin Collins, who went 4-for-5, and sophomore Avery Neaves, who homered for the fifth time this year. 

Lynchburg got out to an early 1-0 lead in the second after Holden Fiedler drove home Neaves with an RBI single to right field. The Hornets then tacked on three more runs in the third inning on an RBI double from Kinston Carson, a sacrifice fly from Collins, and a steal of home by Neaves. In the fourth, Neaves brought three more Hornets around to score as the sophomore parked one over the left field fence to give Lynchburg a 7-0 lead.

The Maroons responded with a single run in the home half of the fourth and two runs in the seventh, but it was not enough as the Hornets scored six more times over the final three frames to come away with the victory. 

Collins and Neaves led the Hornets offense, but Lynchburg also received a strong start from Carson, who allowed just one run on three hits and struck out three. Sophomore Zack Potts threw five innings of relief to earn the win. 

In Game 2, the contest remained scoreless up until the top of the fifth inning when the Hornets broke through after a double play ball allowed Collins to score to give Lynchburg a 1-0 lead. An inning later, the Maroons tied the ballgame at 1-1 then took a 2-1 lead in the home half of the seventh on a sacrifice fly. Roanoke pitching held the Hornets scoreless the rest of the way to split the doubleheader. 

Brandon Pond threw 6 2⁄3 innings and gave up only two runs on five hits with four strikeouts but was tagged with the loss. Four Maroons pitchers combined to allow just one Hornet run on four hits with seven strikeouts. Roanoke's Nick Davis came away with the win.  

Lynchburg baseball will be back on the diamond on Wednesday, March 17 against Christopher Newport with first pitch set for 3 p.m.

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--LYN--