
For Immediate Release - 3/2/08 - #240
Walk-Off Single in Ninth Pushes Hornet Baseball Past Averett 7-6
LYNCHBURG, VA - Sophomore Jeff Taylor (Lynchburg, VA/Heritage) connected for his second walk-off single in as many games Wednesday as the Hornets knocked off non-conference rival Averett University 7-6 from Fox Field.
Lynchburg (9-5) jumped on AU starter Ben Hildreth early on, scoring four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run single by David Gaines (Forest, VA/Jefferson Forest). After the Hornets made the score 6-0, Averett exploded for six runs in the sixth frame to tie the score.
After two scoreless innings, Ronnie LaBrie (Vinton, VA/Staunton River) drew a base on balls with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Senior Jon Crews (Lynchburg, VA/Heritage) followed with a single, and Taylor stepped up and drilled a shot over the right fielder's head for the game-winner.
LaBrie, Crews and Taylor all finished with multi-hit games for the Hornets, who extended their winning streak to five. Labrie also contributed three stolen bases, two runs and two RBI. LC starter Jared Millner (Forest, VA/Jefferson Forest) tossed three innings, allowing just two hits. Sophomore Spencer Garrett (Williamsburg, VA/Bruton) chalked up his first win of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth.
Ahmed Shelton collected three hits for the Cougars (5-10), with teammate Jake Loye finishing 2-5 on the afternoon. Despite getting the loss, Averett reliever Jesse Ferrell pitched well, going three and two-thirds innings, allowing only two hits.
LC will entertain No. 20 North Carolina Wesleyan College to Fox Field Friday at noon.
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