The Basics
Score: Roanoke 9 | Emory & Henry 8
Records: Maroons 22-7 / 14-3 ODAC | Wasps 4-13 / 3-13 ODAC
Location: Emory, Va..
The Lead: Roanoke traveled to Emory & Henry for their second matchup of the season. The Maroons defeated the Wasps in Salem, 11-2, back on April 7th and went looking for the season sweep on Tuesday afternoon. Emory & Henry would score first but Roanoke answered with three runs to take their first lead of the game. The home team put five runs on the board in the bottom of the third and RC would have to play catch up for the next six innings. Four runs in eighth would set the stage for a fantastic finish. The Maroons took the lead and sealed the game when they recorded the last out at home plate for the 9-8 win.
How it Happened:
- Conner Butler was hit by a pitch and Cale Agee walked leading to an RBI single by Gavin Kandrick to tie the game at 1-1.
- In the top of the third, Mason Staz led off with a base hit and advanced on a Carter Plunkett fly to left that was dropped. Staz and Plunkett would score without the benefit of a Roanoke hit to take a 3-1 advantage.
- However, E&H would score five in the bottom half and then two more in the fifth to take an 8-4 lead into the later innings.
- A Roanoke rally in the top of the eighth would allow the Maroons to come all the way back to tie the game at 8-8. Butler singled but was erased on a fielder's choice before an Agee base hit and Kandrick reaching on an error to load the bases. Tyler De Meo doubled to left center to clear the bases and make it a one-run deficit. Will Smith singled to move De Meo to third and the game would be tied on a Staz base hit.
- The ninth inning would decide the game. Jonny Wall walked and was pinch run for by Jacob Bonzon. Bonzon moved up on a wild pitch and a Kandrick single would give the Maroons the lead.
- Aiden Kuhle came in relief of starter Anthony Sullivan in the third inning. Kuhle kept the Maroons within striking distance with a six inning, seven strikeout relief appearance. However the Wasps would get a runner on third base with only one out. Josh Dawson came in to try to close the game out. Dawson induced a fly to right field where De Meo put the ball away for the second out. The runner from third tagged and De Meo sent the throw to the plate to nail the runner for a game ending double play.
- Staz, Butler, and Kandrick each had two hits. Staz scored a pair of runs and De Meo drove in three runs. Kuhle picked up the win and Dawson recorded his second save of the season.
Up Next: Roanoke is scheduled to host Randolph-Macon on Saturday for an ODAC double header, but due to the forecast, there is a possibility that the games will be rescheduled.
