SALEM, Va. --- Roanoke split an ODAC doubleheader with Lynchburg on Saturday afternoon at Kiwanis Field. The Maroons took game one, 4-3, only to fall in the twin bill, 9-4 as the Hornets scored six runs in the final three innings to salvage the split.

 

The Maroons are now 3-15 all-time against the Hornets, including a 3-4 record since 2008. All three wins have been decided by a single run, two of those with a 4-3 result.

 

Roanoke scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth and held on to knock off Lynchburg, 4-3 in game one. After a Graham Thacker (Forest, VA, Jefferson Forest)single and a double by Alan Moore (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spring)put runners on second and third, Jay Laramore (Pfafftown, NC, Guilford)singled through the left side to bring in Thacker to cut it to within one. 

 

A single up the middle by Barrett Henderson (Roanoke, VA, Cave Spirng)brought home Moore to tie the score at 3-all. With the bases loaded, two outs and a full count, Caylen Baire (St. Albans, WV, St. Albans)drew a walk to score the eventual game-winning run.

 

Down 1-0 in the first, Cameron Travalini (Millville, DE, Indian River)got the Maroons on the board after hitting his second triple of the season. He was brought home by a sacrifice hit from Moore.

 

Cody Kidd (Salem, VA, Glenvar)went 5.1 innings in the no decision effort, striking out two. Tyler Grouten (Avon, CT, Avon)(2-1) earned the win in relief, with two strikeouts and not allowing a run in the final 1.2 innings.

 

Freshman Zack Conner (Indianapolis, IN, North Central)filled in for the injured Noah Davidson (Salem, VA, Salem)well, going 2-for-2 with a walk.

 

The Maroons had a 4-3 edge heading into the seventh before the Hornets rallied with six runs in the final three innings to win, 9-4.

 

Roanoke grabbed the early 3-0 lead after Moore's fourth home run of the season, which was a three-run shot over the left field wall. But Lynchburg chipped away, scoring a run in the following three innings to tie the contest.

 

In the bottom of the fifth, Henderson smashed his first career home run to left field to regain the lead, 4-3.

 

Lynchburg took the lead for good with a three-run seventh to make it, 6-4. They added a run in the eighth and two more in the ninth to salvage the split.

 

Travalini went 4-for-4 with a run and two stolen bases. Moore finished 3-for-5 with a run and three RBI. Henderson was 2-for-4 while Mark Manthe (Blacksburg, VA, Blacksburg)had two singles.

 

Chris Caputo (Dunwoody, GA, Dunwoody)(0-4) took the loss, but not before striking out a career-best eight batters in 6.1 innings.

 

Moore's home run today tied the school-record with 14 for his career. He also moved up to third on the career runs scored list with 85, four shy of setting a new school-record in that category. He finished 4-for-8 on the day and now has 12 multi-hit games this season.

 

Graham Thacker passed his brother, Brennan Thacker (Forest, VA, Jefferson Forest)'08 for third on the career hits list with 138. He recently passed him in career doubles and is now tied for third on that list as well.  His two runs today places him tied for sixth in career runs with 71.

 

Travalini's 11 steals on the season broke a single-season record at Roanoke. He is now fourth on the all-time list, four shy of second on that list at Roanoke.

 

The men will return to action this Tuesday, April 6 as they host Emory & Henry in ODAC action at Kiwanis Field. The Maroons defeated the Wasps, 16-12 on the road last week. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.