HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA-Despite trailing 6-0, Hampden-Sydney put together a rally in the seventh and eighth inning to come within one run, but it was not enough as North Carolina Wesleyan took an 8-5 victory at Yank Bernier Field. With the loss, Hampden-Sydney falls to 13-12 while the Bishops improve to 10-14.

Both Michael Blanchard (Roanoke, VA/Roanoke Catholic) and Kaleb Wessell were on point from the start of the game. Neither surrendered a run over the first four innings while giving up a combined six hits.

North Carolina Wesleyan broke the game open in the fifth as the Bishops strung together five hits to score four runs. They eventually tacked on two more in the top of the seventh to take the largest lead of the game at 6-0.

The Tiger bats came alive in the bottom frame, however, as Hunter Lewis (Newport News, VA/Menchville) and Colby Carter (Manakin-Sabot, VA/Goochland) led off the inning with back-to-back hits. Jordan Wind (Tappahannock, VA/Essex) reached on a fielder's choice when Carter was forced out at second. Herbie Williams (Danville, VA/George Washington) then batted in the Tigers' first run of the day.

Erick Herrmann (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) later knocked in the second run as his RBI single scored Wind. Zach Harrelson (Danville, VA/George Washington)closed the gap even further scoring Herrmann and Patrick Kuhns (Stafford, VA/North Stafford).

Hampden-Sydney continued to close the gap in the eighth. Kuhns recorded an RBI and made the game 6-5 as Drew Walker (Midlothian, VA/Blessed Sacrament) crossed the plate.

North Carolina Wesleyan was able to fend off the Tiger run, scoring two more in the top of the ninth. Ben Longton then came in and picked up the save in the ninth.

On the day, Herrmann was 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI, and Kuhns was 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Harrelson, Carter and Lewis each had two hits.

Hampden-Sydney returns to action Thursday, March 24 as it travels to face Ferrum College. The game is set for 7:00 pm.