HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Senior captain Trey Karnes (Mechanicsville) had four hits on the day, including two home runs, and five RBIs, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a non-conference baseball doubleheader to Huntingdon (AL) College on Saturday afternoon on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Senior Nic Graziano (Virginia Beach) took the pitching loss in the 5-4 opener, while junior Justin Woodall (Mechanicsville) took the mound setback in the 6-5 nightcap for the host Tigers (17-8) against the visiting Hawks (17-11).

In the seven-inning first game, H-SC scored four runs on eight hits with no errors … scoring one run in the sixth inning and three runs in the seventh. HC scored five runs on 11 hits with one error … scoring one run in the first inning, two runs in the second, one run in the fourth and one run in the sixth.

Highlights for the Tigers in the opener included a two-run home run to left field in the seventh by Karnes (1-3, 2 RBIs) that made it a two-run game after the hosts trailed 5-1 to begin their final at-bat. H-SC made it even more interesting when sophomore pinch-runner Trent Jones (Virginia Beach) scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-4, but the one-run deficit remained for the final margin. Freshman Christian Lancaster (Danville) (2-3, RBI) added a run-scoring infield single in the sixth. Junior captain Ryan Boyce (Suffolk) (2-3) also collected two hits in the game, including a double.

Graziano (2-2) started and pitched just two-thirds of an inning while facing five batters, before an injury forced him out of the game with the hard-luck loss, allowing two hits and one run, earned, with no strikeouts and one walk. Junior Owen Tappy (Charlotte, NC) pitched 4.1 innings, scattering six hits and three runs, all earned, with one strikeout and one walk. Senior Matt Flatford (North Chesterfield) faced three batters but did not record an out, yielding two hits and one run, earned, with no strikeouts and one walk. Junior Davis Ferguson (Rocky Mount) tossed the final 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit with two strikeouts and no walks.

In the seven-inning second game, H-SC scored five runs on eight hits with no errors … scoring three runs in the third inning and two runs in the seventh. HC scored six runs on 14 hits with one error … scoring three runs in the second inning, two runs in the third and one run in the seventh.

Highlights for the Tigers in the nightcap included another two-run homer to left field in the seventh by Karnes (3-4, 3 RBIs), this time with two outs to make it a one-run game … though it ended that way once-again. Karnes now has a team-best four home runs this season, and added an RBI single in the third for the first run by the Garnet & Grey. Freshman Johnny Oates II (Chester) (1-4, 2 RBIs) contributed a two-run double to left center field in the third for H-SC. Senior Ethan Badin (Richmond) (2-4) also collected two hits in the game.

Woodall (1-1) started and pitched the first 3.0 innings, allowing 10 hits and five runs, all earned, with three strikeouts and one walk. Freshman Lance Tate (Stanardsville) tossed 3.0 scoreless innings, yielding two hits with one strikeout and no walks. Sophomore Ryan Portes (Midlothian) pitched the seventh inning, allowing two hit and one run, earned, with no strikeouts and no walks.

H-SC and HC will complete the three-game weekend series on Sunday, April 10, at 12 p.m. at Wurdeman Stadium. The noon start time is one-hour earlier than was originally scheduled by the two schools.

The doubleheader marked the Hampden-Sydney Baseball Homecoming (see photo below) sponsored by the Big Hitters Club and the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement. The Big Hitters Club is an organization of alumni, parents and friends of H-SC Baseball with the purpose of raising awareness, creating energy and furthering the program enhancements. Approximately 25-30 former baseball players returned, including George Rickman '59 and Lewis Drew '60. The Big Hitters Club Advisory Board includes club president Tripp Butler '91, along with Ben Brawley '10, Tom Conway, Jason Ferguson '97, Kyle Grantier '11, Todd Lampman '91, John Lloyd '17 and Phil Spencer '70.