ASHLAND, VA-The Hampden-Sydney baseball team took a thrilling 5-4 win over seventh-ranked nationally Randolph-Macon in 12 innings on Wednesday afternoon. Senior first baseman Jeff Gray (Newport News, VA/Menchville) went 2-for-6 in the effort while tying Hampden-Sydney's career hits record at 179 (Hunter Lewis '14).

Hampden-Sydney wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, using a Gray RBI in the first to score Spencer Wiles (Belmont, NC/South Point) and RBI from Jackson Rogers (Sterling, VA/Potomac Falls) and Dustin Wiles (Belmont, NC/South Point) in the second to take an early 3-0 lead. In the second inning, Jack Elliott (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clair) and Reggie Johnson (Dunnsville, VA/Essex) both crossed the plate on the hits by Rogers and Wiles.

The Yellow Jackets got to Zach Whitaker (Roanoke, VA/Patrick Henry) in the bottom of the third, getting one run across the plate.

The Tigers pushed their lead back up to three when Rogers knocked in his second run, scoring Christian Hamlett (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) in the fourth, but Randolph-Macon trimmed the Tiger lead to just one with two runs in the bottom of the frame.

Randolph-Macon then made it a 4-4 game with another run in the bottom of the sixth.

Neither team scored another run in the next three innings, forcing the game into extras.

Randolph-Macon was able to get runners in scoring position in both the tenth and 11th, but Rogers took to the mound and extended the game.

It was then in the top of the 12th that the Tigers struck with Lee Carneal (Charlottesville, VA/Albemarle) driving in John Lloyd (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) for the game winner.

Whitaker went four and two thirds innings, allowing three runs – two earned- on seven hits and a walk; he struck out two. Teddy West (Lanexa, VA/Warhill) pitched four and two thirds, allowing one run on five hits with five strikeouts. Rogers picked up the win, pitching 2.2 shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks.

At the plate, the Tigers outhit Randolph-Macon 17 to 14. Rogers, Elliott, and Spencer Wiles each recorded a team-high three hits. Carneal, Gray, and Lloyd each had two hits.

The Tigers return home to host Eastern Mennonite in a Saturday double header. First pitch is set for 12:00 PM.