Lynchburg College broke open a 2-2 tie with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and held on for a 4-3 victory in the second game of a doubleheader against Eastern Mennonite University in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action on Saturday in Lynchburg, Va. LC also won the first game 8-0.

LC (22-13, 13-5 ODAC) struck first with two runs in the fourth inning on an RBI double by senior Sean Randon followed by a sacrifice fly by sophomore catcher Justin Kelly. EMU (12-20, 4-12 ODAC) answered with two runs in the fifth on an RBI double by sophomore first baseman Chad Johns and a run scoring single by junior third baseman Michael Kniss.

The Hornets quickly regained the two-run lead in the bottom half of the inning with a bases-loaded single by senior first baseman Lucas Jones. Kelly then hit his second sacrifice fly for the 4-2 lead. Senior second baseman T.J. Frazier pulled EMU within a run with an RBI single in the ninth inning, but with the tying run on third base, junior Cole Thornton grounded into a fielder's choice to end the game.

Sophomore Jason Kelly (5-3) earned the victory for Lynchburg after allowing two runs in six innings. Freshman Brandon Comer (0-2) allowed four runs in seven innings to take the loss for EMU.

Ranson and junior second baseman Josh Walker each went 2-for-4 for the Hornets. Frazier, Thornton, and junior catcher Kenny Riley each had two hits for the Royals.

In the first game, Lynchburg scored one run in each of the first four innings and added two in the fifth and two in the sixth in recording the 8-0 victory. Senior Matt Gouker (9-2) earned the shutout with six strikeouts in seven innings. Sophomore Josh Pfeifer (2-2) went the distance for EMU, allowing five earned runs on 15 hits.

Senior shortstop Shawn Abell went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI for Lynchburg. Junior designated hitter Adam Santee, Ranson, junior catcher Corey Paluga, and sophomore right fielder Eric O'Brien each went 2-for-3. Frazier led the Royals with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.

EMU will close the season on Sunday with a 1 p.m. ODAC doubleheader against Roanoke College.


Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score