Bluefield Pulls Away in Win over Roanoke

Bluefield Pulls Away in Win over Roanoke
SALEM, Va. --- Bluefield used a seven-run fifth and five more in the seventh to win, 22-6 over Roanoke at Kiwanis Field Wednesday evening. The Maroons dropped to 5-6 on the season, while the Rams improved to 6-4.
 
Roanoke is now 1-8 against the Rams, with their only win coming in 2006 (10-9). Joseph Johannes (Piedmont, SC, Woodmont)(0-1) took the loss for Roanoke, going 4.2 innings with only two walks. William Ruberry (Alexandria, VA, St. Stephens/St. Agnes)and Mark Manthe (Blacksburg, VA, Blacksburg)came into relief for one inning and struck out two batters each.
 
Bluefield got on the board first, scoring one run in the Rams' first at bat. Roanoke threatened in the bottom of the first with the bases juiced, but a chance to grab the lead was lost as the Maroons popped up to end the inning.
 
The game remained close until the Rams scored seven runs in the top of the fifth to spread the game wide open, 11-0. Bluefield added five more in the seventh to make it, 16-0.
 
Roanoke put up four runs in the bottom of the seventh to end the scoring drought and cut the deficit to 12. But Bluefield scored six runs in the eighth to put them over 20 for the game.
 
Roanoke raked in 11 hits on the night, which is the fifth time this season the Maroons have had at least 10 hits or more. And for the seventh time this year, the team has scored at least five or more runs.
 
Noah Davidson (Salem, VA, Salem)finished with a career-best four hits on the night, going 4-for-6. He is now fifth in career at bats (321), and tied the school-record in runs scored with 79. In a night of milestones for Davidson, he also became the fifth player at Roanoke to eclipse over 100 career hits. He moved into fourth on the all-time list with 103. Cameron Travalini (Millville, DE, Indian River)scored two runs and had a stolen base. His six stolen bases this season are three shy of tying the single-season record at Roanoke. 
 
Barrett Henderson (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spirng)and C.J. Poad (Clinton, MD, Riverdale Baptist)collected two hits each, making this Henderson's third multi-hit game of the season. Alan Moore (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring)increased his hit-streak to 11 games dating back to last season, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. He has had a base hit in 21 of his last 22 games.
 
The Maroons will host Washington & Lee in ODAC action at Kiwanis Field on Saturday, March 13. Roanoke is 2-14 against the Generals, with their last win coming in 2008, 10-6. First pitch is scheduled for noon.