Posted: Apr 23, 2015
The Maroons entered the ODAC Tournament today for the third time In program history, and the second time in the last three years. The Maroons are also playing their first game since having five players named to the 2015 All-ODAC squad. Roanoke was looking for its first win against Virginia Wesleyan for the season, having fallen to the Marlins twice earlier in the season. With the loss, Roanoke will play Eastern Mennonite on Friday morning at 11:00 AM.
The Maroons took the first lead of the game after scoring in the top of the second. Will Decker hit an RBI single to short, then proceeded to take second on a throwing error. Two batters later, Clark Crutchfield hit a double to right center field, bringing in Decker from second. After one, Roanoke led 1-0.
With one runner on and two outs, The Marlins' Josh Mason reached on a fielding error in center field, which not only scored the runner from first, but Mason also made his way home, taking a 2-1 lead. The Maroons responded in the top of the third, as Will Black, who reached on a walk, scored as Hodgert hit a single to center field. The Marlins scored two in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-2 lead.
The Maroons scored once again in the top of the fourth, Kiley opened with a double, while Crutchfield reached with an error. Lucas Nowlin walked to load the bases. Danny Creel hit into a double play, but it allowed Clark Crutchfield to cut the deficit to one run, 4-3. However, again, in the bottom of the inning, Virginia Wesleyan scored two more runs. The Maroons were held scoreless for the remainder of the game, while the Marlins scored two runs in the seventh and three in the eighth as Roanoke fell 11-3 in the first game of the tournament.
Roanoke finished the game with six hits, led by Clark Crutchfield, who went 2-4 in the contest. Brian Kluge, Call Hodgert, Will Decker and Craig Kiley all tallied one hit each. Crutchfield and Hodgert each finished with one RBI. Brian Kluge added to his stolen base total, by stealing one base in today's contest. Austin Gregory was tabbed with the loss, giving up six runs off 12 hits, while leading the team in strikeouts with three.
The Marlins were led in hitting by Matt Murray and C.J. Lindsay who went 3-5 for the day. Taylor Erby, Zach Bach, Josh Mason and Nik Milvo tallied two hits each. Mason led all players with three runs scored, while Murray and Bach scored two runs apiece. Sean Greiser picked up the win, giving up three runs off five hits, while striking out 10 batters.
The Maroons return to action on Friday, April 24th as they will play in an elimination game at 11:00 AM at City Stadium. Roanoke will face Eastern Mennonite, who lost 11-3 to #1 seed Shenandoah University.
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