DANVILLE, Va. --- Roanoke opened its 2010 season with the USA-South/ODAC Challenge hosted by Averett University this weekend. The Maroons were swept, 8-5 and 10-4 by the Cougars on Saturday, but came-from-behind to win, 6-5 against Ferrum on Sunday. The Maroons are now 1-2 on the young season.

 

In the season-opener, Averett jumped out to a 6-0 lead after four innings of play. Roanoke's bats came alive in the top of the fifth as Alan Moore (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring)smashed a two-run homer over the left field wall to make it, 6-2.

 

The Cougars countered with two runs in the sixth to push the lead back to six, 8-2. But Roanoke scored three runs in the top of the seventh to cut the Averett advantage to within three. Moore came up big again as his double to centerfield scored Noah Davidson (Salem, VA, Salem)as he crossed the plate for the second time.

 

Moore then scored from second as Jay Laramore (Pfafftown, NC, Guilford)deep fly ball was misplayed by the rightfielder to make the score, 8-4. Mark Manthe (Blacksburg, VA, Blacksburg)singled followed by Barrett Henderson (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spirng)double which scored Laramore. With two runners in scoring position and the tying run at the plate, Averett prevailed as Brian Knowles got the final out on a strikeout to give the Cougars their first win of the season.

 

In game two, Roanoke hung tough through the first four innings before AU scored five runs to seal the 10-4 win.

 

Down 4-0 in the top of the fourth, Roanoke scored three runs, two off walks with bases loaded. Moore and Laramore both reached base on walks and Moore scored off Manthe's single to left center. C.J. Poad (Clinton, MD, Riverdale Baptist)and Cameron Travalini (Millville, DE, Indian River)forced walks to bring in two more runs to make it a one-run ball game with bases loaded and one out. But Averett went to its bullpen and the move paid off, with a strikeout and a pop out to shortstop to end the threat.

 

The Cougars blew the game wide open in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring five runs to make it, 10-3. Moore and Laramore collected hits to put both in scoring position. Manthe brought home Moore for the final run of the game.

 

In Sunday's contest against Ferrum, Roanoke rallied from a 4-2 deficit to win, 6-5 on neutral ground on Averett's campus. Tyler Grouten (Avon, CT, Avon)earned the first win of his young career on the mound, going 4.1 innings in relief allowing only one run off one hit with two strikeouts. The Maroons have won three of their last four meetings against the Panthers since 2008.

 

The Maroons scored three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 5-4 lead. Graham Thacker (Forest, VA, Jefferson Forest)single to left field drove in both Sean Mathieson and Travalini to tie the contest. Moore's single drove home Davidson to take the lead for good.

 

Roanoke added an insurance run in the top of the eighth as Travalini singled up the middle to score Caylen Baire (St. Albans, WV, St. Albans) to give the Maroons a 6-4 advantage.  The proved essential, as the Panthers scored in the bottom half of the inning and held on for their first win of the season.

 

Travalini, a freshman two-sport athlete at Roanoke, had a great start to his collegiate baseball career. A starting midfielder on the men's soccer team, he finished the weekend with a single, a triple, three RBI's and scored a run with four walks.

 

Moore, a 2007 All-ODAC selection and a senior team captain, got off to a great start to his final collegiate season. He led the Maroons this weekend with five hits, four runs, a double, a home run and four RBI's. Moore, who is one game shy of #100 games played at Roanoke, moved into second in career at bats (352), third in games started (96) and runs scored (67). The slugger already holds school-records in home runs (11) and doubles with 37 after this weekend.

 

Freshman Michael Haslam (Collegeville, PA, Springfield)started the Ferrum game on the mound in his first collegiate appearance. He went 4.2 innings, allowing two earned runs and struck out five.

 

The Maroons will travel to Ferrum to play the Panthers again in non-conference action. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m.

 

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