UMW Baseball Tops Messiah, 11-10, on Saturday

UMW Baseball Tops Messiah, 11-10, on Saturday

The University of Mary Washington baseball team erupted for eight third inning runs and held on for an 11-10 victory over visiting Messiah College on Saturday at Dickinson Stadium to even its record at 4-4 on the season.

Messiah scored in the top of the first on a walk and a single, but the Eagles tied the score in the bottom of the frame. Stephen Johnston hit a two-out double and scored on a single from starting pitcher Christian Hague.

In the third, Kevin France led off with a single, and advanced to second on an error. After a walk to Ramsis Ruiz, Johnston singled home France, and Hague followed with another RBI single to plate Ruiz. With one out, Mark Smith singled to load the bases, and Tyler Ray walked to plate another run. After a strikeout, Mason Riser singled home two runs, and France provided an RBI single to score Ray. Ruiz walked and Johnston Johnston plated two runs on a hit to center to cap the scoring in the inning.

Messiah cut into the lead with three runs in the fifth, three in the sixth, and two in the seventh, but the Eagles picked up runs on a sacrifice fly from Nick Bass in the sixth and a sac fly from Hague in the seventh. Messiah cut the deficit to one in the ninth, but Joe Thompson gained the save by gaining the last out on a strikeout.

Hague pitched five strong innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits, five of which came in the fifth. He walked two and struck out five. Robert Cross allowed one earned run on three hits in 3.2 innings of relief, and Thompson gave up a walk and gained the final out.

France led UMW with four hits with two runs scored and an RBI, while Johnston singled twice and doubled, driving in three and scoring twice. Mark Smith and Nick Bass each ahd three hits, and Hague had two hits and three RBI.

The Eagles will return to action on Sunday when they host Johnson and Wales University at 1 p.m.