BOX SCORE
 
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Sophomore first baseman Connor Powell (Midlothian) had one hit and two RBIs, and sophomore third baseman Kennen Lewis (Dry Fork) added two hits, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a 6-5 non-conference baseball decision at home to Johnson & Wales (RI) University on Sunday night on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. Freshman right-hander Hayden Bynum (Richmond) started on the mound and took the pitching setback. The host Tigers dropped their third-straight one-run game and are now 5-4 overall, while the visiting Wildcats were playing their season-opener after participating in the 2025 NCAA Division III Regionals.

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

In the first, sophomore left fielder Sam Vick (Capron) (1-3, RBI) led-off with a walk and stole second base ahead of a walk to Lewis (2-4), as well, and both runners advanced a base via a sacrifice bunt by senior center fielder and team captain Greer Farr (Southern Shores, NC). Powell (1-5, 2 RBIs) followed with a clutch two-run single to left field to score both Vick and Lewis for an early 3-2 deficit.

In the sixth, sophomore catcher Seth Truesdale (Midlothian) was hit by a pitch to begin the at-bat, advanced to second on a passed ball and crossed the plate when freshman shortstop Mason Lester (Lawrence, KS) (1-3, RBI) followed with a run-scoring doubled to left-center field. Lester moved on to third via a ground ball out and scored courtesy of a sacrifice fly RBI to right field by sophomore pinch-hitter Gavin Smith (Mechanicsville) (RBI) for a 6-4 margin.

In the ninth, Smith, who had stayed in the game at second base, reached on a throwing error by the pitcher and stole second base with one out and moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher during the successful steal attempt. Vick followed with an RBI single through the left side to plate Smith, and advanced to second when Lewis singled through the left side, as well, and Vick moved on to third as the potential tying run on a fly-ball out to right field. Unfortunately, another fly-ball out end the game and resulted in another one-run outcome.

Bynum started on the mound for the Garnet & Grey and pitched the first 1.0-plus innings for the loss, allowing five hits and six runs, five earned, with no strikeouts and two walks. Senior right-hander Cooper York (Gastonia, NC) tossed the next 4.0 scoreless innings of relief, yielding two hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Freshman left-hander Garnett Power (Midlothian) pitched 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, yielding no hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Senior right-hander Jacob Williams (Chesapeake) pitched the final 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, yielding two hits with one strikeout and one walk.

H-SC will play on the road at non-conference opponent Regent University on Thursday night, March 5, at 6 p.m. in Virginia Beach.