Ferrum, Va. – The Southern Virginia University baseball team lit up the scoreboard in a non-conference midweek matchup, defeating Ferrum College 18-8 in a dominant offensive performance.

The Knights wasted no time setting the tone, opening the game with a walk from David Hunley that was quickly followed by four consecutive singles from Zack Geertsen, Seth Lloyd, Garrett Stauffer, and Marcelino Leonardo Jr., building a 3-0 lead in the top of the first.

Ferrum responded in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on two walks and a bunt single to plate three runs and tie the game at 3-3. Southern Virginia reclaimed the lead in the second, as another Hunley walk turned into an RBI single from Geertsen to make it 4-3.

After a couple of quiet innings, the Knights reignited their bats in the fifth. Geertsen led off with a double, later scoring on an RBI from Ryan Farris. Leonardo Jr. followed up with a double of his own, extending the lead to 6-3.

Ferrum once again clawed back in the bottom of the inning, repeating their earlier formula with two walks and a bunt single, tying the game at 6-6.

But in the sixth, Southern Virginia slammed the door shut with an 11-run explosion. The rally was fueled by a massive three-run homer to left field by Farris. Panthers' pitching unraveled as the Knights drew multiple walks, took a pair of hit-by-pitches (Geertsen and Leonardo Jr.), and capitalized on defensive miscues. Lloyd drew a bases-loaded walk, and Stauffer added an RBI single as Southern Virginia surged to a commanding 17-6 lead.

The Knights capped their scoring in the seventh. Mason Jones drew a walk, stole second, and came around to score on an RBI groundout by Hunley, making it 18-6. Ferrum tacked on two late runs in the bottom half of the inning, but it wasn't enough to threaten the Knights' lead, with the game ending 18-8.

Southern Virginia's offense tallied 15 hits on the day. Geertsen and Stauffer led the way with three hits each, while Farris drove in four runs, highlighted by his three-run homer. On the mound, Jeffrey Hill earned his first win of the season, throwing 3.2 innings of one-hit baseball in relief.

The Knights now turn their attention back to conference play as they prepare to face William Peace University in a three-game weekend series. The opener will be held Friday in Covington, Va., at 3:00 PM, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday in Buena Vista starting at 12:00 PM.

For the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University baseball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_bsb on Instagram.