EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry Baseball Team (7-20) overcame an early seven-run deficit to force extra innings against non-conference opponent Belmont Abbey College (17-10) Tuesday afternoon. The Crusaders utilized a two-run home run in the top of the tenth to earn the 13-11 victory.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Belmont Abbey 13, Emory & Henry 11 (Ten Innings)
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Porterfield-DeVault Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (7-20, 3-12 SAC); Belmont Abbey (17-10, 9-6 Carolinas)
How It Happened
The Crusaders jumped ahead in the top of the first inning as they tallied three runs on three hits to take the 3-0 advantage. The Wasps would get a run back in the bottom of the second. Fifth-year designated hitter Caeden Howell (Roaring River, N.C.) drew a one-out walk then came around to score on an RBI double down the line in left from fifth-year outfielder Triston Hensley (Covington, Va.) to reduce the deficit to 3-1. BAC added to their lead with three runs in the third and two more in the fourth to increase the margin out to 8-1.
Emory & Henry got back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior first baseman Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) drew a walk, Hensley singled and they both came home to score on a two-RBI base knock off the bat of junior catcher Ky Gregoire (Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA). Fifth-year outfielder Matt Hill (Pineville, N.C.) plated Gregoire with an RBI double and the score stood at 8-4. The Wasps tacked on three more runs in the home half of the fifth inning when fifth-year second baseman Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) singled, freshman shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) walked and senior third baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.) delivered a two-RBI triple. Smith scampered home on a wild pitch and the Wasps trailed by just one at 8-7.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Belmont Abbey responded with three runs on a pair of homers in the top of the seventh to push their lead back out to 11-7. The home team would not give in as they battled back in the bottom of the eighth. Howell led off the inning with a double, Hensley singled and Gregoire walked to load the bases. Another wild pitch allowed Howell to score and Hill came up clutch once more with a two-RBI double to pull the Wasps back within a run at 11-10. E&H completed the comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. After back-to-back singles from Smith and Bebber to start the inning, a sacrifice bunt from sophomore third baseman Jack Ferguson (Abingdon, Va.) advanced both runners into scoring position. Hensley was intentionally walked to load the bases and Gregoire was issued an RBI free pass to score the tying run and force extra innings. The visitors would have the final say however, as they recorded a double and a two-run home run in the top of the tenth to retake the lead. The Wasps were retired in order in the home half of the frame and the Crusaders escaped with the 13-11 victory.
Thomas Paxton picked up the win on the mound for BAC after scattering one run and two hits over 2.2 innings of work. Smith suffered the loss for Emory & Henry as he surrendered the go-ahead home run in extra innings. Hill and Gregoire each finished with three RBIs while Smith added a pair of runs driven in. Hensley had a team-high three base hits in the loss.
Up Next
Emory & Henry continues non-conference play this weekend when the Wasps host the Big Blue of Bluefield State University for a three-game series. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Friday afternoon from Porterfield-DeVault Field.
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