BOX SCORE

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Junior Jahiem Green (Stafford) had four walks and four stolen bases, and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning in walk-off fashion, while senior Lucas Burnette (Hurt) had three hits and one RBI, to lead Hampden-Sydney College to a 7-6 come-from-behind non-conference baseball home win past Mary Baldwin University on Thursday afternoon on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Sophomore Alex Fitz-Hugh (Chesterfield) gained the pitching victory in relief, the first of his collegiate career, for the host Tigers (7-10) against the visiting Fighting Squirrels (4-11).

H-SC scored seven runs on five hits with one error … scoring two runs in the second inning, one run each in the third, fourth and sixth innings, and two runs in the ninth. MBU scored six runs on nine hits with three errors … scoring one run in the first inning, two runs in the third and three runs in the fifth.

In the second, freshman Jake Moore (Dry Fork) (1-3) singled to center field as the leadoff batter, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by classmate Trey Shrock (Appomattox), and stole third. Following a walk to junior team captain Johnny Oates II (Chester), Moore scored courtesy of another sacrifice bunt, this one by freshman Jase Howell (Portsmouth) (RBI) with Oates moving to second, and Oates crossed the plate when Burnette (3-4, RBI) followed with an RBI single up the middle for an early 2-1 lead.

In the third, Green walked to open the at-bat and stole both second and third bases before junior Jaxon Masterson (Raleigh, NC) drew a walk, as well. Green was able to score when Masterson was caught stealing, tying the contest at 3-3.

In the fourth, Moore led off with a walk and stole second base, later scoring with one out when a failed pickoff attempt thrown by the pitcher went into center field, and the center fielder than threw the ball over the third baseman's head … making it 4-3 in favor of the home team.

In the fifth, Burnette reached on an infield single to shortstop and advanced to second base when Green drew a walk, both runners advancing a base on a sacrifice bunt by Masterson. Burnette scored on a ground ball out off the bat of freshman Jack Wilson (Petersburg) (1-3, RBI) as the Garnet & Grey closed to within 6-5.

In the decisive ninth, Burnette reached on another infield single deep in the hole at shortstop and sophomore Hunter Powell (Ridgeway) replaced him as a pinch-runner. Green then drew his fourth walk of the day, and both runners advanced a base on another well-placed sacrifice bunt by Masterson. Wilson was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out for Lancaster, who hit a ground ball to the shortstop that was misplayed, allowing Powell and Green to score on the play for the victory.

Freshman Hank Blanton (Midlothian) started on the mound for the Tigers and pitched the first inning, yielding no hits and one run, earned, with one strikeout and two walks. Junior Ryan Portes (Midlothian) tossed 1.2 innings, allowing six hits and two runs, both earned, with one strikeout and no walks. Sophomore Kyle Woodall (Mechanicsville) also pitched 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and three runs, all earned, with two strikeouts and no walks. Sophomore Jackson Barnett (Ashland) tossed 3.2 scoreless innings, yielding no hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Fitz-Hugh (1-1) pitched the final scoreless inning for his first career mound win, allowing no hits with one strikeout and no walks.

H-SC remains at home to welcome Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) member Roanoke College on Sunday, March 24, for a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium … this is a change to the original schedule due to the expected wet weather on Saturday (3/23) … Sunday's two games are also the finale to the Big Hitters Club Homecoming/Reunion Weekend.