Buena Vista, Va. — The Southern Virginia University baseball team earned its first victory of the season, holding off the Royals of Regent University for a 7–6 win.
The Knights wasted no time getting on the board. Ryan Farris opened the game with a double down the line, followed by a Seth Lloyd single up the middle. Farris later scored on a wild pitch to give Southern Virginia an early 1–0 advantage.
Regent responded with a pair of hits to tie the game, but the Knights quickly regained control. Lloyd led off the next inning with a single, and Zack Geertsen drew a walk. After both advanced on a wild pitch, they came around to score on a Regent fielding error, putting Southern Virginia back on top, 3–1.
The Knights added another run in the fourth. Farris singled and advanced aggressively, eventually stealing third before scoring on a bases-loaded RBI walk from Garrett Stauffer to extend the lead to 4–1.
Regent answered in the bottom of the fifth with a four-run inning to take a 5–4 lead and apply pressure late in the game.
Southern Virginia responded in clutch fashion. Stauffer was hit by a pitch, and Mason Jones followed with a single through the left side to put a runner in scoring position. Conner Robley and Ben Agnew each delivered RBI singles to the right side, helping the Knights reclaim the lead at 6–5.
Regent threatened in the final innings, but strong relief pitching sealed the win. Brady Steelman and Benjamin Jackson combined for four scoreless innings, and a heads-up line-drive double play to Marcelino Leonardo Jr. ended the game with Southern Virginia on top, 7–6.
On the mound, Geertsen tossed five innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out three. Steelman earned the win with two shutout innings, giving up only two hits, and Jackson closed the door with two hitless frames.
Offensively, it was a team effort. Farris and Lloyd each recorded two hits, while Geertsen reached base three times with a double and two walks. Stauffer, Agnew, and Robley each contributed RBIs in the win.
The Knights return to action Saturday, February 21, with a doubleheader against Apprentice beginning at 12:00 p.m.
For the latest updates on Southern Virginia University baseball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_bsb on Instagram.
