Posted: Apr 26, 2013
In Matt McGuire's first year at the helm of the Maroon baseball program, Roanoke tallied a school-record 18 wins, as well as a school-record 10 ODAC victories. The squad closed out the regular season with six wins in the last seven games, securing a 10-10 mark in the ODAC. With that conference record, the Maroons were able to earn the sixth seed in the Roanoke's first ODAC Baseball Tournament since the 2004 season.
Also in 2013, Two Maroons were named to the 2013 All-ODAC team, as Austin Gregory was tabbed with second-team honors, while senior Mark Manthe was named to the third team. Manthe finishes his career at Roanoke ranked in the top-five in 11 different all-time categories. Senior Tyler Grouten, who got the start for the Maroons, ends his Roanoke career first all-time in appearances (58), third in innings pitched (194.1) and strikeouts (127).
As they had in the game on Thursday, the Maroons jumped out to an early lead with heads-up base running. Brian Kluge singled to center field to open up the top of the first. He was advanced over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cam Cassady. After stealing third, Kluge took home on a dropped third strike, throw out to first, giving Roanoke a 1-0 lead after the first inning.
Tyler Grouten held the Tigers scoreless through the first six innings of play, until Hampden-Sydney got hot in the seventh. The Tigers led off the inning with four consecutive singles, including RBI base hits from Jack Elliott and Patrick Kuhns, giving Hampden-Sydney a 2-1 lead. After a ground out and an intentional walk to load the bases, Hunter Lewis tallied an RBI with an infield out that plated Elliot and gave the Tigers the 3-1 advantage.
The Maroons were unable to score in the next two innings, bringing their season to a close with a 3-1 loss to Hampden-Sydney in the fourth game of the ODAC Tournament.
The Maroons finished the contest with four hits, one each from Brian Kluge, Cam Cassady, Mark Manthe and Reece Kingery. Roanoke's lone run came from Brian Kluge who took home on a wild pitch. Tyler Grouten was tabbed with the loss after giving up three runs off eight hits in six innings of work.
Hampden-Sydney was led by Andrew Tucker who went 3-4 on the afternoon including one run scored. The Tigers had one RBI each from Hunter Lewis, Jack Elliott and Patrick Kuhns. Hunter Lewis was awarded the win, pitching 8.1 innings, giving up one run off one hit and striking out five. Luke Rabiej picked up the save, going 0.2 innings, and allowing no hits.
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