Late Inning Rally Comes Up Short As Baseball Falls To Hornets 9-6

Late Inning Rally Comes Up Short As Baseball Falls To Hornets 9-6
from Wes Gullett, Greensboro College Sports Information Director

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Despite a late inning push, the Greensboro College baseball team fell to the Hornets of the University of Lynchburg Thursday 9-6.

The Hornets jumped out to a 9-0 lead through six innings before Greensboro got on the board in the seventh. Chance Bryant led off the inning with a walk before advancing into scoring position on a Luke Pegram soft single into center field. Following the Pegram single, Devin Watkins, who got the start as the Pride’s designated hitter, hit a single through the left side to get Greensboro on the board.

After shutting down Lynchburg in the bottom half of the inning, Ben Knuff led off the eighth with a single up the middle before advancing 90 feet on a Noah Walker four-pitch walk. Following the walk, Hunter Curtis reached base with a fielder’s choice but the Pride then loaded the bases after Bryant was hit on the font elbow, forcing the Hornets to go to their bullpen once again.

Following the pitching change, Cameron Peters continued his hot start to the season and placed a single into right field to score Walker and keep the bases loaded with one out. As the inning progressed, Casey Moore tallied a RBI single to right field to pull Greensboro to within six runs.

Much like the bottom of the seventh, Greensboro retired the Hornets in order in the eighth to get back to the plate. In the ninth, DJ Lowry led off the inning with a walk before Knuff tallied his second hit of the day to put two runners on. Noah Walker was then able to draw a walk of his own to load the bases for the second consecutive inning. Still with no outs in the inning, Hunter Curtis and Chance Bryant both got hit by pitches to push two runners across to make the score 9-5.

Later in the inning with one out and the bases still loaded, Casey Moore recorded a RBI groundout to pull Greensboro to within 9-6. However, the Pride was not able to pull any closer and fell by the three-run margin.

Knuff finished with a team-leading two hits, while seven other players recorded one hit in the loss. Clayton Slater, who came on in relief for Eli Moravick, took the loss on the mound. Cole Cooper and Chenzo Scanio also pitched for the Pride and combined for three strikeouts.

The Pride will have a quick turnaround as they will return to action Friday when they open their three-game conference series with the Pacers of William Peace University at 5 p.m. Friday at Ted Leonard Park. For more information on Greensboro College baseball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.