BOX SCORE
 
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Sophomore designated hitter Sam Vick (Capron) had two hits and an RBI, senior right fielder and team captain Chase Sanford (Mechanicsville) had two RBIs and junior left fielder Ian Martin (Martinsville) also had two hits, but Hampden-Sydney College dropped an 8-4 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) baseball decision on the road at Virginia Wesleyan University on Wednesday afternoon in Virginia Beach. Senior right-hander and team captain Sterling Austin (Petersburg) started on the mound and took the pitching setback for the visiting Tigers who are now 10-12 overall, including 4-4 in the ODAC. The host Marlins improved to 11-10 overall, 3-5 in the ODAC.

H-SC scored four runs on eight hits with one error … scoring one run in the fourth inning, two runs in the eighth and one run in the ninth. VWU scored eight runs on 12 hits with no errors … scoring one run in the first inning, four runs in the third and three runs in the fourth.

In the fourth, freshman shortstop Mason Lester (Lawrence, KS) (1-5) singled up the middle with one out, advanced to second on a single through the left side by junior catcher Noah Leonard (Troutville) (1-2) and moved to third when Vick (2-4, RBI) reached base on a bunt single … crossing the plate when Sanford (2 RBIs) drew a bases-loaded walk for a 5-1 deficit.

In the eighth, senior center fielder and team captain Jack Wilson (Petersburg) (RBI) walked to open the frame, advanced to second when freshman second baseman Ryan Dugan (Virginia Beach) was hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded with one out after sophomore catcher Seth Truesdale (Midlothian) (1-1) walked, as well. Wilson scored when Vick provided an RBI single down the left field line and Dugan crossed the plate via a sacrifice fly RBI to right field by Sanford to provide for an 8-3 margin.

In the ninth, Martin (2-4) led-off with a single to left field, advanced to third on a double to center field by junior first baseman and team captain Jase Howell (Portsmouth) (1-4) and scored on a sacrifice fly RBI to left field by Wilson toward the final four-run margin.

Austin (1-2) started on the mound for the Garnet & Grey and pitched the first 3.2 innings for the loss, allowing eight hits and eight runs, all earned, with three strikeouts and one walk. Senior right-hander Cooper York (Gastonia, NC) followed with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, yielding one hit with one strikeout and no walks. Senior right-hander and team captain Alex Fitz-Hugh (Chesterfield) tossed an inning of scoreless relief, allowing two hits with no strikeouts and one walk. Junior left-hander Noah Lewis (Crewe) pitched 1.2 scoreless and hitless innings with three strikeouts and one walk. Senior right-hander Jacob Williams (Chesapeake) recorded the final out while facing three batters and allowing one hits with no strikeouts and one walk.

H-SC returns home to welcome ODAC member and nationally-ranked No. 6 Shenandoah University for a conference doubleheader on Saturday, March 28, beginning at 12 p.m. on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. It's the program's Homecoming Weekend (March 27-28) with a social on Friday night at the North Street Press Club in Farmville … a reception throughout the day on Saturday at the stadium … and a special alumni recognition between the two games on Saturday.