By Sam Armstrong

BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Southern Virginia University baseball team took on St. Mary's College of Maryland in the final home regular-season Capital Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, losing the first game 14-6, and winning the second 17-7 on senior day.

"We had a few 'young moments' during game one," head coach Logan Mann said. "But we responded well and this team continues to fight and bounce back from opposition."

The two teams went back and forth in game one until the Seahawks (10-16, 3-13 CAC) exploded in the top of the eighth, scoring 10 runs on seven hits and two errors by the Knights (16-15, 7-8 CAC) to take a 14-6 advantage, a lead they would hold until the end of the game.

The Knights collected 11 hits for the game, led by two each by Ryan Saunders, Brady Lamb, Canon Anderson, and Stetson Kay. Anderson also had two RBIs in the game, while Lamb, Saunders and Tate Briggs each had a stolen base.

Southern Virginia struggled to take care of the ball on defense, committing four errors. Seth Burris started on the mound and pitched an excellent game, striking out five batters in five innings while giving up only four hits and one earned run. Nate McCallum also threw well, holding the Seahawks scoreless over two innings.

The tables turned in game two as the Knights seemed to reach base at will, gathering 17 hits and drawing six walks. They also hit five home runs in the 17-7 win.

Every Knight in the lineup reached base at least twice in the game, with Jordan Keefer leading the way with four hits and two RBIs and Jonathan Soto adding three hits and three RBIs. Blasting a long ball each for the squad was Soto, Anderson, Keefer, Saunders, and Caleb Layden.

Tayler Peterson continued to dominate opposing batters, striking out a career-high 12 batters and giving up only six hits and three earned runs over seven innings pitched in the win.

After both games, the Knights honored five seniors: Peterson, Saunders, Burris, Austen Hammond and Jonathan Hodges. Each senior has been a part of the program for at least three years and have contributed significantly to the team.

"Because of our seniors we are in the mix for post-season play," Mann continued. "They have been a huge foundation for our program and have been a joy to coach."

With three CAC contests remaining, the Knights are in fifth place in the league. Southern Virginia takes the field again on Monday as they take on Roanoke College in a neutral site game held at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.