Virginia Beach, Va. -- A thrilling four-run comeback in the final frame allowed the University of Lynchburg baseball squad to steal a victory over Virginia Wesleyan, 5-4, on Saturday evening at Perry Field.
The No. 2 Hornets (22-4, 9-2) had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the ninth inning.
Sean Pokorak struck one and reached on an error by the third baseman, allowing
Jacob Wright to round home. That was followed up by
Conner Moore walking and forced
Brandon Garcia to score and cutting Lynchburg's deficit to one, 4-3.
After
Logan Webster struck out,
Tyler Howlett played the role of hero once again. He smashed a two-RBI single through the right side, scoring Pokorak and
Benton Jones to secured a 5-4 Lynchburg advantage, which would hold for the remainder of the contest. Earlier this season, Howlett notched a bases-clearing, two-RBI double against Randolph-Macon to help the Hornets seal a victory over the Yellow Jackets.
In the early goings, Lynchburg snagged the first run in the opening frame when
Joe Munitz scored on a wild pitch. However, Virginia Wesleyan quickly responded in the second inning as Harwood launched a two-run homer to right field, giving the Marlins a 2-1 lead.
VWU extended its advantage in the third, with James doubling to left and Valentin scoring on a throwing error, putting the Marlins up 3-1. In the fourth, Sylvester added a solo shot to right, furthering Virginia Wesleyan's lead to 4-1. Neither side produced any scoring offense until the Hornets soared to victory in the final frame.
Colin McGuire closed out the game for Lynchburg, throwing the last two innings. Of the eight batters he faced, he allowed three hits and amassed two strikeouts. He held strong on the mound and did not allow a run to clinch the victory.
The baseball squad returns to action this weekend when Ferrum visits Fox Field for a double header, starting at Noon on Saturday, April 5.
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