Posted: Feb 22, 2011
Danville, Va--- Roanoke lost to Averett University, 4-3 Tuesday afternoon at Owen-Fulton Field. The Maroons fell to 2-6 on the young season, while the Cougars improved to 4-7 on the year.
Mark Manthe (Blacksburg, VA, Blacksburg) was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Eric McGuire after a R. Scott single to end the game. Down 5-3 entering the top of the ninth, Manthe doubled in Scott Thurston (Glen Allen, VA, J.R. Tucker) to pull within one, only for Roanoke to have it's comeback spoiled on the last play.
The Maroons struck first as Thurston scored on a Jacob Clifton (Vinton, VA, William Byrd) fielder's choice. The Cougars then tied it in the bottom half of the inning off a James Carter RBI-single, scoring McGuire. Averett took the lead in the bottom of the second when James Fiorella scored off a wild pitch. The home team then tacked on another run as Codie Moore drove in James Carter in the bottom of the bottom of the third.
Roanoke battled back, tying the score in the top of the fifth off back-to-back RBI-singles by Manthe and Thurston. Averett took the lead for good in the seventh off a bloop single by Kyle Newcomb that scored Jimbo Newcomb. Fiorella then singled in Matt Mitchell to drive in the decisive run in the top of the ninth.
Mitchell picked up the win for the Cougars, throwing seven innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out three. Jimbo Newcomb went 2-for-4 on the day and scored a run. James Carter also finished 2-for-4 from the plate, scoring one and driving in one.
Zack Folger (Forest, VA, Jefferson Forest/Bridgewater) took the loss for the Maroons, tossing three innings and allowing three runs. Jacob McMillan (Vinton, VA, William Byrd) threw five strong innings to start the game for Roanoke. He finished with seven strikeouts, while allowing just two earned runs off of four hits.
Manthe paced RC from the plate, finishing 2-for-4 on the afternoon with two RBI's. Scott added three hits and an RBI, while McMillan and Dalton Lipes (Buchanan, VA, James River) each added two hits on the afternoon. Thurston scored three runs.
Roanoke returns to action Wednesday Feb. 23rd as they host the University of Maine-Presque Isle. The first pitch is set for a 7:00 p.m. start.
