SALEM, Va --- Roanoke had no trouble defeating ODAC-foe Emory and Henry College, 16-8 Monday night at Kiwanis Field. The Maroons improve to 10-18, 2-11 in conference play on the year, while the Wasps drop to 3-17, 2-7.
Emory and Henry jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning when Nathan Wimmer's RBI was good to drive home Will Schulhof from third base. They struck again in the same inning off of a Collin Metz RBI fielder's choice, giving them an early 2-0 advantage.
It did not take Roanoke long to react, as they scored a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Matt Wallman's (Forest, VA, Jefferson Forest) RBI-single shot to right field helped bring home base runner Robbie Scott (Mt. Kisco, NY, Fox Lane) from second base, cutting Emory and Henry's lead to 2-1.
The Maroons went on to do most of their damage in the bottom of the sixth inning, putting up four runs, and putting the game out of reach for the Wasps.
The surge was ignited by Benjamin Amos' (Vinton, VA, William Byrd) RBI-single to left field. Three batters later, Mark Manthe's (Blacksburg, VA, Blacksburg) single to left field brought in another run, while also putting a runner in scoring position for Roanoke. Wallman, and Zack Conner (Indianapolis, IN, North Central) were able to cap off the run as they both brought home a run a-piece for the Maroons.
Emory and Henry did not go down without a fight, as they put together a five run eighth inning to cut the Roanoke lead to two. The Maroons then used a run of their own, ending all hopes for the visitors. They matched the Wasps effort with five runs of their own, highlighted by a two run double by Manthe.
Roanoke was led by Manthe's four-for-five, three run, five RBI performance. Wallman, Amos, and Conner were also key contributors with two hits each of their own.
The Wasps used a balanced attack to keep themselves in the game, as seven players recorded one hit a-piece. Josh McMillan had two RBIs for the visitors, both of which came in that crucial eighth inning.
Mark Wimmer (Salem, VA, Salem), who started on the mound for the Maroons improved his record to 3-1 on the year, while Zach Jones dropped to 0-3.
Roanoke will get a chance to make it two in a row against the Wasps, as the two square off again Tuesday, April 5. The first pitch is set to be thrown at 3:00 pm.
