Posted: Mar 27, 2014
Roanoke has now defeated Ferrum for the second time this season, having played the Panthers previously on March 20th at Virginia Tech. The Maroons bested the Panthers in that contest 15-5. This is also the Maroons third win in five games, defeating Guilford College as well on Wednesday, 9-4.
The Maroons started the bats swinging early as Will Decker hit a two run home run, plating Devin Cassity on the play to take an early 2-0 lead. Kevin Oakey hit an RBI single, scoring Lucas Nowlin, while Clark Crutchfield also had an RBI single scoring Oakey. After the first inning, Roanoke held a 4-0 lead.
Ferrum responded in the top of the second inning. Hank Parsley hit an RBI double to left center that scored Eddie McGrath. Casey Naff followed with an infield out, which allowed Ty Comer to cross the plate as well. Austin Winkles reached base on an error, as Parsley slipped home for the third run of the half inning, with Ferrum pulling within one, 4-3.
Roanoke, who was back at the top of the order in the second inning, nearly mirrored the action from the first. Will Black hit an RBI single up the middle, scoring Cassity on the play. Jacob Clifton hit an RBI double plating Black. With the bases loaded, Clark Crutchfield hit an RBI single to right, scoring Clifton and putting the Maroons ahead 7-3 after just two innings. Ferrum put one on the board in the top of the third as Taryn Hayden scored on an sacrifice fly ball.
Roanoke's fourth inning included RBI hits from Oakey and Cam Cassady, resulting in two more runs for the Maroons, going ahead 9-4 after four innings. Ferrum's McGrath hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth, closing the gap to four runs, but Roanoke would widen the gap very quickly. Will Decker hit a three run home run scoring Black and Cassity on the play. With the bases loaded, Danny Creel and Cassity both walked pushing runners home for two more runs. Black back at the plate reached on a fielding error allowing Crutchfield to score, as Roanoke scored six runs in the fifth inning, leading the contest 15-5. Nick Sburlati added one more run for good measure in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run. Roanoke's 11 run lead would hold for the remainder of the contest as the Maroons won 16-5 in the three hour battle.
The Maroons were led in hitting by Devin Cassity and Will Decker who each finished with three hits on the night. Cassity, Lucas Nowlin and Kevin Oakey each crossed the plate three times, while Decker finished with five RBIs on the night. Will Black and Decker each tallied two runs apiece. Harrison Richards picked up the win, pitching five innings, giving up five runs and striking out six batters.
The Panthers were led in hitting by Eddie McGrath who finished 3-3 on the evening. Lane Deaver tallied two hits as well in the game. McGrath also scored two of the team's five runs, while Hank Parsley had a team-high two RBIs. Dalton Vetter was tabbed with the loss, giving up four runs off six hits.
The Maroons return to action on Saturday, March 29th as they travel to Ashland to take on Randolph-Macon College. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM.
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