HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA-Hampden-Sydney baseball used 12 hits to score nine runs in its 9-4 victory over arch-rival Randolph-Macon on Tuesday afternoon. The win marks the second straight for the Tigers and improves the team to 11-10-1 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The Yellow Jackets drop to 7-7 overall and 3-3 in the ODAC.

Randolph-Macon scored the first run of the game on a solo homerun in the second inning, but the Tigers took control in the bottom of the third with three runs and never looked back. The Tigers' first four batters all reached base safely with three singles and a hit batter. Andrew Tucker (Fincastle, VA/James River) was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and then Beau Flinchum (Ashland, VA/Hanover) batted in Hunter Lewis (Newport News, VA/Menchville) to tie the game at 1-1. Though James Keller (Fredericksburg, VA/VMI) grounded into a double play in the next at bat, Jeff Gray (Newport News, VA/Menchville) crossed the plate to put the home team up 2-1. Jack Elliott (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clair) then batted in Tucker to up the lead to 3-1.

The Tigers then exploded in the sixth inning for six more runs to take a commanding lead. The Tigers again started the inning hot with the first five batters reaching base safely. Lewis batted in the first run as he was walked with the bases loaded, and Gray then reached on an error to score Christian Hamlett (Midlothian, VA/Midlothian) and John Lloyd (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run). With the inning extended, Flinchum knocked in Lewis on a sacrifice fly, and Keller then upped the Tiger lead to 9-1 with a two-run homer.

Randolph-Macon's offense stung in both the seventh and eighth with one and two runs, respectively, but Lewis moved from third to the mound to secure the victory.

Aaron Stidham (Roanoke, VA/William Byrd) picked up the win after pitching seven solid innings while allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out four while walking just one. Lewis then pitched the final two innings, allowing two runs on two hits.

Offensively, Patrick Kuhns (Stafford, VA/North Stafford) had a hot bat with a 3-for-4 performance. He had one double and scored a run. Lewis and Gray each had two hits, while Flinchum and Keller knocked in two runs a piece.

Hampden-Sydney remains at home and will host Eastern Mennonite in an ODAC double header on Saturday, March 23. First pitch is set for 12:00 pm.