EMORY, Va. – The Bluefield College Baseball Team (11-16) scored five runs in the ninth inning as it rallied to defeat Emory & Henry College (7-12) by a 15-8 score Wednesday afternoon at Porterfield/DeVault Field.
Bluefield's Trevor Martin led the game off with a home run as the Rams got four runs across the first three innings for a 4-0 lead.
The Wasps got on the board in the bottom of the fourth as senior centerfielder Eric Houff (Blacksburg, Va.) plated freshman right fielder Andrew Stockstill (Roanoke, Va.), who led off the inning on an error by the shortstop.
The Rams added a run in the top of the fifth with a home run by Jacob Wright to push the score to 5-1.
E&H got within one in the bottom of the with five runs, highlighted by a two-run double by Houff to tie the score at six.
After Bluefield got another solo home run, this time from Will Simpson, in the top of the sixth, Emory & Henry plated another pair for the 8-7 advantage on a two-RBI single from senior designated hitter Jessup Lambert (Fries, Va.).
In the top of the seventh, the Rams tied the game at eight on a sacrifice fly by Kaleb Long and went ahead, 10-8, thanks to a two-run homer by Kahlin Villines in the eighth.
Bluefield got five runs in the ninth to seal the victory. After a bases loaded walk brought one run home, Jamie Blackwell hit a grand slam, making the score 13-5.
Blackwell led the Rams as he went five-for-six with four RBI and three runs scored. Five Bluefield players had two hits led by Martin with two runs scored and two walks. Zac Russell-Myers picked up the win as he pitched the final two innings in shutout fashion, only allowing three hits.
Emory & Henry was paced by junior first baseman Connor Wise (Cookeville, Tenn.) as he went three-for-five and Houff with two hits and three RBI. Freshman left fielder Ben Barnett (Knoxville, Tenn.) also had three hits in the contest. Wasp freshman Adam Warnalis (Bedford, Va.) took the loss in relief.
E&H will travel to Virginia Beach on Saturday for an Old Dominion Athletic Conference doubleheader with Virginia Wesleyan College. First pitch is set for noon.
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