BOX SCORE GAME 1 | BOX SCORE GAME 2
 
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Sophomore third baseman Jase Howell (Portsmouth) had three hits and two RBIs in the first game, while junior designated hitter Matthew Arnold (Danville) had four hits and two RBIs in the second game, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) baseball doubleheader at home to Averett University on Sunday on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Junior right-hander and team captain Alex Fitz-Hugh (Chesterfield) took the pitching setback in relief in the 6-5 opener, while junior right-hander Jacob Williams (Chesapeake) took the mound loss in relief in the 11-9 nightcap for the host Tigers (4-9, 0-3) against the visiting Cougars (9-3, 2-0).
 
In game one, H-SC scored five runs on seven hits with two errors … scoring two runs in the first inning and one run each in the third, fourth and eighth. AU scored six runs on eight hits with three errors … scoring one run in the fourth inning, three runs in the fifth, and one run each in the seventh and eighth.
 
In the first, junior center fielder and team captain Jack Wilson (Petersburg) reached on a throwing error at shortstop and advanced to third on a single by senior first baseman and team captain Grayson Harris (Moseley) (2-5, RBI), who advanced on to second. Wilson and Harris scored on a two-out, two-run single to center field by Howell (2-5, 3 RBIs) for an early 2-0 advantage.
 
In the third, Arnold (1-4, RBI) drew a two-out walk, advanced to second when sophomore left fielder Jake Moore (Dry Fork) walked, as well, and crossed the plate when Howell added an RBI single to center field and a 3-0 lead.
 
In the fourth, sophomore catcher Noah Leonard (Troutville) reached on a fielding error by the pitcher, advanced to second on an infield single to shortstop by Harris, and both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. Leonard scored when Arnold provided a two-out, run-scoring single to right field for a 4-1 advantage.
 
In the eighth, senior shortstop Jaxon Masterson (Raleigh, NC) walked to begin the at-bat, advanced to second on a wild pitch ahead of a walk to freshman second baseman Gavin Smith (Mechanicsville), and both runners advanced on an infield single to third base by sophomore pinch-hitter Ian Martin (Martinsville) (1-1) … loading the bases with no outs. Masterson scored with one out when Harris reached on a fielding error at second base, but a pair of strikeouts ended the opportunity, providing for the final margin.
 
Junior right-hander Sterling Austin (Petersburg) started on the mound and pitched the first 4.1 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs, all earned, with two strikeouts and one walk. Fitz-Hugh (1-1) tossed the final 4.2 innings for the loss, scattering four hits and two runs, one earned, with two strikeouts and two walks.
 
In game two, H-SC scored nine runs on 13 hits with one error … scoring one run in the second inning, three runs in the third, four runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth. AU scored 11 runs on 15 hits with three errors … scoring one run in the second inning, two runs each in the third and fifth, and six runs in the eighth.
 
In the second, junior right fielder and team captain Chase Sanford (Mechanicsville) (3-5, 2 RBIs) tripled to right center field and scored on the play on a throwing error by the shortstop, tying it early at 1-1.
 
In the third, Leonard reached on a fielding error at third base on a bunt attempt, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Wilson, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out, RBI single to right field by Arnold (4-5, 2 RBIs). Following a walk to Howell (1-4, RBI), both runners crossed the plate on a two-run double to right center field by Sanford for a 4-3 advantage.
 
In the fifth, Harris (1-4) singled to right center field to begin the at-bat, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI double to right field by Arnold. Arnold then advanced to third on a single to center field by Sanford, who moved to second on the play, and Arnold scored when senior right fielder and team captain Christian Lancaster (Danville) (1-5, RBI) reached on throwing error by the shortstop with Sanford moving to third. Lancaster stole second base before Sanford crossed the plate on a run-scoring single to right field by Masterson (1-5, RBI). Lancaster then scored courtesy of a wild pitch for an 8-5 lead.
 
In the sixth, Harris was hit by a pitch with one out, advanced to second on a single to left field by Arnold, and scored when Howell followed with an RBI single to right field for a 9-5 advantage. Unfortunately, the Cougars had the six-run eighth inning to provide for the final margin.
 
Freshman left-hander Noah Lewis (Crewe) started on the mound and pitched the first 4.1 innings, allowing eight hits and five runs, all earned, with a career-high six strikeouts and no walks. Senior right-hander Gavin Gregory (Suffolk) tossed 2.2 innings, yielding four hits and two runs, both earned, with one strikeout and no walks. Senior right-hander Justin Reynolds (Virginia Beach) recorded one out, allowing no hits and two runs, both earned, with no strikeouts and two walks. Williams (0-1) faced three batters for the loss in relief, allowing two hits and two runs, both earned, with no strikeouts and one walk. Sophomore left-hander Adam Emhoff (Chesapeake) and sophomore right-hander Logan Benton (North Chesterfield) each recorded one out with Emhoff yielding one walk, while Howell tossed the final scoreless inning, allowing one hit with one strikeout and no walks.
 
H-SC will play on the road at ODAC member Ferrum College on Tuesday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m. in Ferrum.