HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA-The Hampden-Sydney baseball team came back from a two run deficit with a score in the eighth and ninth inning to extend the game, but after five scoreless extra innings, Ferrum broke the tie with a run in the top of the 15 and held on to win. The Panthers start their season 1-0; the Tigers open up 0-1. The two teams will meet tomorrow for two more, playing a double header at Ferrum with first pitch set for 12:00 PM.

The game was a pitcher's duel from the beginning, with Reggie Johnson (Dunnsville, VA/Essex) and Jake Perkins coming out hot, holding both teams scoreless on a combined six hits through the first four innings.

Ferrum, however, was able to get to Hayden Basse (Fairfax Station, VA/Bishop O'Connell) in the sixth, scoring two runs – one earned – on two hits.

Dylan Gonzales (Richmond, VA/J.R. Tucker), Josh Blair (Virginia Beach, VA/Princess Anne), and Trey Celata (Chesapeake, VA/Atlantic Shores Christian) all pitched a scoreless inning to keep the Tigers within striking distance.

At the plate, Michael Flanagan (Moseley, VA/Cosby) singled that eventually set up an RBI-double from Lee Carneal (Charlottesville, VA/Albemarle) to score Cody Smith (Bristol, VA/Virginia HS) in the eighth.

In the ninth, Moe Gothe (Chester, VA/Thomas Dale) used some clutch hitting to blast a solo homerun with two outs to extend the game.

Neither team could cross the plate in the first five innings of extras, but Ferrum small ball helped break the tie in the 15 as Clay Massie scored on a Lane Deaver bases-loaded single.

Lorenzo Allensworth then went one, two, three in the bottom half of the frame to claim the win.

Johnson went five scoreless innings on the mound, allowing four hits and one walk with five strikeouts. Zach Perkins (Appomattox, VA/Appomattox) allowed two hits, one walk and no runs with five strikeouts in three innings. Matt Metheny (New Kent, VA/New Kent) went two scoreless, surrendering one hit while fanning two batters.

Trent Jacobs (Farmville, VA/Fuqua) was the pitcher of decision, allowing one run on one hit and two walks with a strikeout.

The Tiger offense recorded 11 hits to Ferrum's ten, with Dustin Wiles (Belmont, NC/South Point), Carneal and Gothe each recording two.

The Tigers return to action Sunday, February 7 as they face Ferrum for a double header at Ferrum. First pitch is set for 12:00 PM.