BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Southern Virginia University Baseball team (7-6, 0-1) faced off against USA South conference foe Brevard College (11-6, 1-0) Friday, falling 8-5 in the first of a three-game series.
Pitcher
Stockton Hall, a freshman from Kaysville, Utah, got the Knights off to a great start from the mound, striking out the third Brevard at bat and not allowing a single hit in the top of the first inning. Southern Virginia jumped out to an early lead, with a single run scored in the bottom of the first by
Seth Lloyd, who was brought in by a Nick Danes single up the middle.
Shortly after, with the bases loaded in the top of the third inning, Hall forced a flyout to right field, sending the runners back to the Brevard dugout.
Following a stretch with no scoring, the Tornados took the lead in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs. Jaden "Rock" Giles was put on the mound in relief for Hall with two outs in the inning, forcing Lucas Granata to ground out in a double play.
It didn't take long for the home team to restore its advantage, with two runs in the bottom of their portion of the fifth.
Marcelino Leonardo Jr. and
Ty Martinez both got on base after being walked.
Sinjun Johnson then loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch.
Jackson Massey then nailed a line drive up the middle, advancing Leonardo home to even the score. A balk moved the runners on base, with Martinez reaching home, making the score 3-2.
An impressive catch from center fielder Nick Danes on a deep fly resulted in the first out for Brevard's lineup in the top of the sixth. The Tornados, however, leveled the score with a runner batted in after a double up the center by Blake Burchett.
Stone Robinson stepped onto the mound to finish the inning, forcing a ground out to first basemen
Jackson Massey.
Cesar Rodriguez came in to pitch for the Tornados in the bottom of the sixth, allowing two hits but getting out of the inning unscathed as the Knights left two runners on base.
Brevard added to its lead in the following inning after Cale Oehler stole home after getting on base with a double to right field.
The Tornados again added a run in their portion of the next inning.
Sinjun Johnson overthrew
Seth Lloyd at second base as Luke Morton attempted to steal, allowing Morton to advance to third and Burche to home.
A flurry of runs in the final inning made for an exciting finish. Brevard opened the scoring with Burche bringing in two runners after a single to right field. Peter Fumero added the Tornados' final run after stealing home.
Leonardo Jr. led off with a single to center in the Knights' portion of the ninth. Head Coach
Jerry Schlegelmilch sent
Ryan Farris to the plate with a five-run deficit on the board and two outs. In his first at-bat of the contest, the freshman sent a shot down the left field line that just snuck over the wall, cutting the deficit to three after the two-run homer—the first of his career. Lloyd grounded out to second, ending the series' first game with a score of 8-5 in favor of the visitors.
The series between Southern Virginia and Brevard continues tomorrow, Saturday, Mar. 18, with the first of two games beginning at noon.
To follow along with the games and for all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University baseball, please visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_bsb on Instagram.
