EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (8-20) came up on the losing end of a midweek, non-conference game against No. 25 nationally-ranked Belmont Abbey College (22-8) Tuesday afternoon. The Crusaders slugged three home runs and put up 15 hits on their way to the 13-4 win.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Belmont Abbey 13, Emory & Henry 4
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Porterfield-DeVault Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (8-20, 5-13 SAC); Belmont Abbey (22-8, 16-5 Carolinas)
How It Happened
Both teams were kept off the scoreboard in the first inning, but the visitors struck first in the top of the second. Belmont Abbey tallied four runs on four hits in the second and three runs on five hits, including a pair of solo home runs, in the third to take a 7-0 lead.
Emory & Henry broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore outfielder Rhett Barker (Charlotte, N.C.) singled, sophomore shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) drew a walk and junior outfielder Jadden Rodriguez (Thomasville, N.C.) singled to load the bases. Junior first baseman Kyle Fields (Lynchburg, Va.) drilled an RBI single to plate Barker and senior catcher Ky Gregoire (Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA) followed with an RBI knock of his own to score Hoppes. Senior third baseman Drew Park (Mooresville, N.C.) drew a bases loaded walk to score a run and senior designated hitter Jacob Nester (Hillsville, Va.) drew another walk with the bases juiced one batter later to score another and bring the Wasps back within three at 7-4.
That was as close as the Wasps would get however, as the Crusaders scored six runs in the top of the seventh and the BAC bullpen combined for 4.2 shutout innings, surrendering just two hits to clinch the 13-4 victory. Ethan Yarbrough earned the win for Belmont Abbey as he went 1.2 scoreless innings out of the pen, giving up just one hit while fanning a batter. Junior righty Ivan Delp (Sparta, N.C.) suffered the loss for the Wasps after allowing four runs on four hits in two innings. Senior reliever Avery Salyer (Thaxton, Va.) threw three innings of scoreless relief out of the pen to keep the Wasps within reach. Park and Rodriguez each had a pair of hits while four different E&H batters tallied an RBI.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns to South Atlantic Conference action this weekend when they travel to take on No. 20 nationally-ranked Wingate University. First pitch of Friday's game one is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. from Ron Christopher Stadium.
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