University of Lynchburg

Lynchburg, Va. -- An all-around impeccable performance from the University of Lynchburg baseball team saw the squad take down Maryville, 18-1, on Saturday afternoon at Bank of the James Stadium to advance to championship Sunday in the 2026 NCAA DIII Baseball Tournament Regional Round.

With a whopping 18-run barrage, the Hornets broke the program record for the most runs scored in an NCAA tournament game, previously set in 1978 when Lynchburg defeated Salisbury State, 16-4, in the NCAA postseason. 

The Hornets wasted no time getting the offense going in the first inning. Brandon Garcia singled to begin the game and Benton Jones followed with a walk before Jack Pokorak doubled to center field to drive in the first run. Quinn Madden added a sacrifice fly, and Sean Pokorak followed with an RBI single through the left side. Later in the inning, Gabriel Pegues added an RBI single to cap a four-run opening frame.

Lynchburg broke the game open in the third inning with seven runs on eight hits. Madden singled and stole second before Joe Munitz walked. Sean Pokorak then delivered a two-run triple to right center, and Kyle Flora followed with an RBI triple of his own. Ryder Warren added an RBI single, Kyle Moshier drove in another run with a single, and Jack Pokorak capped the inning with a two-run single to extend the lead to 11-0.

Maryville scored its lone run in the fourth inning, but Lynchburg answered with five more runs in the sixth. Warren singled home a run, Moshier and Garcia each added RBI singles, and Pokorak doubled to left field to bring home another run as the lead grew to 16-1. The Hornets added the final runs in the seventh when Flora launched a two-run home run to left field.

Lynchburg finished with 18 runs on 23 hits. Flora collected four hits and three RBIs, while Jack Pokorak added three hits and four RBIs. Sean Pokorak finished with three hits and three RBIs, and Moshier and Warren each drove in two runs.

On the mound, Logan Tapman tossed a complete game, allowing one run on eight hits while striking out four over nine innings. The senior showed incredible tenacity, tossing 123 pitches and walking just two batters through nine frames.

The Hornets earn their way into the championship contest against Christopher Newport tomorrow, Sunday, May 17 at noon. With the regional round set as a double-elimination format, Lynchburg needs one win over CNU to claim the regional title while the Captains need to beat the Hornets twice to take the regional crown. Information on admission, streaming links, and live stats links can be found on lynchburgsports.com.

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