HARRISONBURG, Va. -- Senior captain Trey Karnes (Mechanicsville) had three hits and one RBI in the first game, while freshman Johnny Oates II (Chester) had three hits and one RBI in the second game, as Hampden-Sydney College swept an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) baseball doubleheader on the road at Eastern Mennonite University on Saturday afternoon in Harrisonburg. Senior Nic Graziano (Virginia Beach) gained the pitching victory, and senior Kieran Conway (Chesapeake) earned the save, in the 6-5 win in the opener, while junior Owen Tappy (Charlotte, NC) took the mound triumph, and junior Russell Bowles (Moseley) earned the save, in the 4-3, 10-inning win in the nightcap for the visiting Tigers (17-6, 9-3) against the host Royals (8-15, 4-7). H-SC has now won 11 of its last 12 games overall.

In game one, H-SC—getting votes in this week's Collegiate Baseball/ABCA Division III Poll—scored six runs on 14 hits with one error … scoring one run in the seventh inning, one run in the eighth and four runs in the decisive ninth. EMU scored five runs on eight hits with one error … scoring two runs in the third inning, one run in the eighth and two runs in the ninth.

Highlights for the Tigers in the opener included a four-run rally in the ninth inning that featured RBI singles by Karnes (3-4, RBI), Oates (2-5, RBI) and junior captain Jay Beavers (Alexandria) (1-1, RBI), along with a ground-ball RBI off the bat of freshman Christian Lancaster (Danville) (RBI) that proved the difference in the game. The Garnet & Grey also received a sacrifice fly RBI from junior captain Ryan Boyce (Suffolk) (1-4, RBI) in the seventh, and a run-scoring single by sophomore Lucas Burnette (Hurt) (2-5, RBI) in the eighth. Sophomore Trent Jones (Virginia Beach) (2-4) also collected two hits in the game for the visitors.

Graziano (2-1) started and pitched the first 8.0 solid innings for the win, scattering six hits and three runs, all earned, with three strikeouts and three walks. Conway (4) tossed the final 1.0 inning for the save, allowing two hits and two runs, one earned, with one strikeout and one walk.

In game two, H-SC scored four runs on 11 hits with no errors … scoring two runs in the third inning, one run in the ninth and one run in the decisive and extra 10th. EMU scored three runs on 13 hits with no errors … scoring one run each in the first, second ad seventh innings.

Highlights for the Tigers in the nightcap included the run in the ninth inning to tie the contest and the run in the 10th to win it … getting a pinch-hit RBI double down the left field line from junior Ethan Currin (Toano) (1-1, RBI) in the ninth before a two-out rally in the 10th led to Beavers (1-4) scoring the game-winning run courtesy of a wild pitch. Beavers had singled to keep the at-bat alive. Karnes (1-5, RBI) added an RBI fielder's choice in the third, while Oates (3-5, RBI) contributed a run-scoring bunt single in the third, as well. Burnette (2-4) and Boyce (2-5) each had two hits for H-SC.

Tappy (3-4) pitched 2.1 shutout innings of late relief for the win, yielding one hit with no strikeouts and one walk. Bowles (1) tossed the final 1.0 scoreless inning for the save, allowing one hit with no strikeouts and one walk. Junior Justin Woodall (Mechanicsville) started and pitched the first 5.0 solid innings, scattering eight hits and two runs, both earned, with three strikeouts and no walks.

UPDATED (04/05/2022)
H-SC is next scheduled to play this weekend, April 9-10, hosting non-conference opponent Huntingdon (AL) College for a three-game series on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark - Wurdeman Stadium. The two schools will play a doubleheader (two 7-inning games) on Saturday, April 9, beginning at 12 p.m., followed by the series finale on Sunday, April 10, at 12 p.m. (one hour earlier than previously announced). The H-SC Baseball Homecoming is taking place on Saturday, as well, and all returning Tiger Baseball Alumni will be recognized on the field just prior to the start of game two. Please be sure to check our website at hscathletics.com for the latest weather-related schedule adjustments.