CARY, N.C. -- Seniors Andrew Kasiski/Chesapeake and Jonathan Triesler/Chesterfield each had two RBIs in the second game, while Triesler provided a three-run home run in the first game, as Hampden-Sydney College split a non-conference baseball doubleheader on the road at William Peace University on Sunday at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. Sophomore Trenton Tiller/Powhatan gained the complete game pitching victory in the 8-2 nightcap for the visiting Tigers (1-2), while classmate Kieran Conway/Chesapeake took the mound setback in the 9-6 opener against the host Pacers (5-1).
In game two, H-SC scored eight runs on eight hits … scoring five runs in the third inning, and one run each in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. The Tigers led 5-0 through three innings and 5-2 through four, before adding the final three runs over the final three innings of the seven-inning nightcap.
In the third, sophomore Ethan Badin/Richmond (0-1, RBI) walked to open the frame and later scored courtesy of a passed ball. Kasiski (2-4, 2 RBIs) followed with a two-run single that plated Triesler (1-3, 2 RBIs) and sophomore Mark Evans/Yorktown (2-4), who had walked and reached on a bunt single, respectively. Kasiski would cross the plate with two outs via a bases loaded walk to freshman Mark Currin/Toano (0-2, RBI). Senior captain Matt Spagnolo/Glen Allen (1-4) also scored after reaching on a single, when Badin was hit by a pitch during his second plate appearance of the at-bat.
In the fifth, junior Nick Grohowski/Chesterfield (1-4) singled and later scored on an RBI ground ball from Triesler. In the sixth, junior Ryan Clawson/Moseley (1-4, RBI) provided a run-scoring single that plated junior Matt Muehleck/Martinsville (0-1), who was pinch-running for Kasiski, who had doubled. In the seventh, Badin was hit by a pitch again and scored on an RBI single by Triesler.
Tiller (1-0) took care of things on the mound for the Tigers, pitching the complete-game 7.0 innings and scattering five hits and two runs, both earned, with seven strikeouts and one walk.
In game one, H-SC scored six runs on three hits … scoring four runs in the second inning, and one run each in the third and fourth innings. The Tigers led 4-1 through two innings, 5-2 through three and 6-3 through four, before WPU scored six runs in the decisive fifth inning of the seven-inning opener.
In the second, Spagnolo (0-2) drew a lead-off walk and later crossed the plate on an RBI ground out by Grohowski (0-2, 2 RBIs). Triesler (1-2, 3 RBIs) added the big hit during the at-bat with a two-out, three-run home run—the first of the season for the Tigers—that scored freshman Ryan Boyce/Suffolk (1-2) and senior Josh Duimstra/Montpelier (0-2), who had reached on a bunt single and a fielder's choice, respectively.
In the third, senior Chase Counts/Virginia Beach (0-3, RBI) walked with one out, stole second base and later scored when Grohowski was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs. In the fourth, Triesler drew a one-out walk, stole second and later crossed the plate when Counts grounded out to shortstop.
Sophomore Nick Graziano/Virginia Beach started and pitched the first 4.0 innings, allowing six hits and three runs, all earned, with two strikeouts and three walks. Currin followed with two-thirds of an inning, allowing one hit and two runs, one earned, with one strikeout and two walks. Conway (0-1) faced five batters but did not record an out, allowing three hits and four runs, two earned, with no strikeouts and no walks. Freshman Russell Bowles/Moseley faced one batter and record a ground ball out, while classmate Justin Woodall/Mechanicsville tossed a scoreless inning, yielding no hits with no strikeouts and no walks.
H-SC will remain on the road to play at non-conference opponent Christopher Newport University on Tuesday, February 18, beginning at 2 p.m. in Newport News. The Captains (2-2) were ranked 25th in the D3baseball.com/NCBWA Preseason Top 25.
