La Verne, Calif. -- The University of Lynchburg baseball team earned a spot in the NCAA 2024 Division III baseball championship after defeating La Verne 6-4 in Game 2 of the super regional on Saturday!

Mason McDowell recorded a save after entering in the ninth with the bases loaded and no outs. Quinn Madden made a sliding, game-saving catch in right field to secure the win. Benton Jones went 3-5 with a double and RBI, O'Kelly McWilliams IV drove in two runs, and Nick Mattfield earned the win after pitching 6 2/3 innings.

The Leopards got to Mattfield for two runs in the first inning, but that was all the senior allowed. He pitched into the seventh with seven strikeouts, five hits, and two earned runs. 

Lynchburg erased the deficit in the top of the second on a RBI single from Joe Munitz and a sacrifice bunt from Eddie Gimbel. The Hornets added to their lead in the fifth, seventh, and eight innings to build a four-run lead over La Verne. McWilliams IV stroked a single to left-center field and brought home Gavin Collins and Josh Gjormand for a pair of crucial insurance runs. 

McDowell relieved McGuire with the bases loaded and no outs. He got the first batter he faced to strike out, but the Leopards scored two on a bunt single and a walk. McDowell fanned a second batter to get the Hornets one out away from advancing to the national championship, then the next batter lined out to Madden in right field who made a game-ending play to punch Lynchburg's ticket to Eastlake, Ohio. 

The Hornets are 10-0 in the postseason winning eight of 10 away from Lynchburg, Va. and Fox Field. The Hornets will play at Classic Auto Group Park in Ohio beginning Friday, May 31 to defend their 2023 national title. The Hornets are seeking their second national championship in program history and aiming to be the first team since 2011-12 to win back-to-back titles.

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--LYN--