SALEM, Va. --- Ferrum scored three runs in their final at bat to defeat Roanoke, 7-4 in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon at Kiwanis Field. The Panthers, who broke a three-game skid against Roanoke, improved to 2-1. The Maroons, who dropped their first game of the year, slipped to 2-1.

 

Ferrum's coaching staff called on pinch-hitter Ryan Easterly and he sparked a three-run ninth with a two-RBI double to centerfield. He was brought home to make it, 7-4 after a sacrifice fly to give the Panthers an insurance run. They held off the Maroons in their final at bat to secure the victory.

 

The Panthers now hold a 9-4 series advantage over their neighbors from the north on highway 220. 

 

Jacob Clifton (Vinton, VA, William Byrd), Jeremy Seipp (Arlington, VA, Washington-Lee) and Dalton Lipes (Buchanan, VA, James River) collected two hits each to pace Roanoke. Mark Manthe (Blacksburg, VA, Blacksburg) hit his second home run this season in his first at bat.

 

Mark Wimmer (Salem, VA, Salem) (0-1) went four innings with five strikeouts and three earned runs. Zack Folger (Forest, VA, Jefferson Forest/Bridgewater) went three innings with three strikeouts and one run allowed. Manthe (0-1) took the loss as he struck out two batters in two innings of work.

 

The men will travel to Fayetteville, NC this weekend to compete in the Methodist Baseball Invitational Feb. 18-20. They will take on host Methodist University on Friday (3 pm), followed by a doubleheader vs. Frostburg St. on Saturday (10 am). The Maroons will wrap-up the weekend against Huntingdon (AL) on Sunday at 3 p.m.