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They started in the third inning and just kept going. Run after run poured in as the Hampden-Sydney baseball team took out their frustrations over early season struggles on Southern Virginia University, beating the Knights 12-1. 

Freshman Jase Howell went 3-for-3 with 4 RBIs and one home run to lead the Tigers, while sophomore Matthew Arnold went 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs on the day. Sophomore Jacob Miller-Bopp meanwhile got his first win of the season, pitching all seven innings and only allowing one run to score.

The Tigers scored 12 runs on 13 hits with one error, scoring two runs in the third and fourth innings, three runs in the sixth inning, and five runs in the seventh inning. SVU scored one run on four hits with one error … scoring one run in the first inning.

How did it happen?

In the third, Howell opened the inning with a solo home run to right center and was followed up two batters later as junior Grayson Harris hit a solo home run to center field to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth, senior Tillman Butler was hit by a pitch and advanced to second when freshman Jake Moore drew a walk. Both Butler and Moore advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Trey Shrock and scored on a single up the middle by Howell to make it 4-1.

In the sixth, Howell reached on a single and advanced to second on an error. Harris walked to put runners on first and second for junior Jaxon Masterson who singled to right field to bring home Howell and advance Harris to third. Masterson then stole second to put two in scoring position for Arnold to single through the right side and bring home Harris and Masterson to make it 7-1 in favor of the Tigers.

Tigers continue to score at will

In the seventh, Butler reached after being hit by a pitch and moved to second on a walk by Moore. Butler and Moore moved up a base on a wild pitch and Howell drove Butler in with a sacrifice fly to left field. Sophomore Jack Wilson drove home Moore with a single to left and advanced to third on a single to left by Harris. Harris stole second and advanced to third as Masterson drove home Moore with a single, and moved into scoring position on the throw. Junior Christian Lancaster singled up the middle to bring home Harris and Masterson to score the final runs of the game and make it 12-1.

Miller-Bopp (1-1) started and went the distance for the Tigers, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing four hits, one run, and one earned, with four strikeouts, and two walks.

Next for Hampden-Sydney baseball

Hampden-Sydney baseball will travel for an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) doubleheader on Saturday, March 16, with the first game beginning at 2 p.m. against Ferrum College.