Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

It was a stat line that any player would love to have. Junior Jahiem Green had four walks and four stolen bases, then scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday, as the Hampden-Sydney baseball team beat Mary Baldwin University 7-6.  

Green’s teammate, senior Lucas Burnette, added three hits and one RBI on the day, as the Tigers won before a home crowd at Yank Bernier Field. Sophomore Alex Fitz-Hugh earned the win in relief, the first of his collegiate career, for the host Tigers (7-10) against the visiting Fighting Squirrels (4-11).

Breaking down the game

Hampden-Sydney scored seven runs on five hits with one error … scoring in the second, third, fourth and sixth innings, and two runs in the ninth. MBU scored six runs on nine hits with three errors. 

In the second, freshman Jake Moore (1-3) singled to center field as the leadoff batter, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by classmate Trey Shrock, and stole third. Following a walk to junior team captain Johnny Oates II, Moore scored courtesy of another sacrifice bunt, this one by freshman Jase Howell (RBI), 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 and stole both second and third bases before junior Jaxon Masterson 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 when a failed pickoff attempt went into center field. That made 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. Burnette scored on a ground ball out off the bat of freshman Jack Wilson (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 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.

Blanton wins for Hampden-Sydney baseball

Freshman Hank Blanton 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 tossed 1.2 innings, allowing six hits and two runs, both earned, with one strikeout and no walks. Sophomore Kyle Woodall also pitched 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and three runs, all earned, with two strikeouts and no walks. Sophomore Jackson Barnett 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.

What’s next for the Tigers?

The Hampden-Sydney baseball team 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. Sunday’s two games are also the finale to the Big Hitters Club Homecoming/Reunion Weekend.