Tigers Defeat Generals, 7-3
Three Runs in Third and Fourth Clinch Win
April 26, 2007  -  Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. ---  Hampden-Sydney College (23-16) put up three runs apiece in the third and fourth innings to provide the difference for the Tigers in a 7-3 victory over Washington & Lee University (17-13) in the first round of the 2007 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Baseball Championship.

Opportunities to score in bunches were at hand for both squads, but Hampden-Sydney took advantage of its chances while Washington & Lee squandered a pair.

After each team left the first inning with a run in their pockets, Washington & Lee University loaded the bases with the first three batters reaching base.  Jordan Wesley struck out for the first out, but the Tigers’ catcher couldn’t handle the pitch and allowed it to get by him to score the Generals’ Ray Sweeney from third.  HSC hurler Larry Greene got Richard Garland swinging before walking James Madden to reload the bases.  Greene skated his way out of the inning by catching Terrence McKelvey wandering too far from second with a pinpoint pickoff throw.

The Tigers responded by three runs in the bottom half of the inning.  Todd Harrell drove in the first score with a sacrifice fly to right.  David Toney followed with a double to left to put runners on second and third with two out.  Ben Brawley singled to right to bring Josh Michael home from third, but when the General’s rightfielder booted the grounder, Toney continued his turn around third to give Hampden-Sydney a 4-2 advantage.

Hampden-Sydney tacked on three more in the fourth.  With one out, Anthony Denale doubled to center and advanced to third on an error by the centerfielder.  Alan Appling struck out in the next at bat, but the ball got away from the W&L catcher that allowed Denale to scoot home from third.  Luke Swiney followed with a second double to center, and was immediately driven in by Michael’s first triple of the season.  Michael home shortly after on another ball to the backstop, this time a wild pitch by W&L righty Clayton Edwards.

Errant pitches continued to factor into the scoring.  The Generals added its final run via another passed ball, this one allowing McKelvey to jaunt home from third.

Both teams will play again on Friday, April 27.  The Tigers will take on Bridgewater College, who defeated Lynchburg College later in the day.  That game is schedule for 7:00 p.m. at Lynchburg’s City Stadium.  Washington & Lee with square off with Randolph-Macon College at 11:00 a.m.  The winner stays alive in the tournament, but the loser of that game will see its season come to an end.