LYNCHBURG, Va. -- A season of tough losses continued on Saturday for the Virginia Wesleyan College Marlins who dropped an Old Dominion Athletic Conference doubleheader to host Lynchburg College, 5-3 and 6-3.

Virginia Wesleyan, which has dropped eight one or two run games this season, fell to 4-14 overall and to 1-5 in the league.  Lynchburg improved to 11-8 overall and to 4-3 in the ODAC.

The Marlins took the lead in both games, but could not hold on, as the host Hornets came up with the hits and runs when they needed them to move in front.  Lynchburg used two hits to help score three runs in the sixth inning to move in front 4-3 in the first game and came up with three hits to tally two runs in the fifth in the second game to tak a 5-2 lead.

Lynchburg outhit VWC 9-7 in the first game and 10-9 in the second contest.  The Hornets connected for eight extra-base hits in the twinbill, while VWC belted all singles.

Senior Josh Miller (Norfolk/Chesapeake Greenbrier Christian) and sophomore Scott Montgomery (Virginia Beach/Tallwod) led Marlin hitting in the opener with two hits each.  Junior Alex Tucci (Stewartstown, Pa./York Catholic) took the pitching loss. He threw eight innings, striking out eight, walking two and allowing nine hits and five earned runs.

Martin Henderlite (Roanoke/Lord Botetourt) improved to 4-1 on the mound with the win.  He fanned four batters, walked one and gave up six hits in seven innings. Charlie Thieringer (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) picked up the save after two innings.  He struck out three batters and allowed just one hit.

Dan Savage (Ashburn/Paul VI) led Lynchburg hitting in the opener with a 4-for-4 effort, with a double.

Savage was one of four Hornets to swat two hits each in the second game. Ashton Paige (Amherst/Amherst County) highlighted a 10-hit offense with a lead off home run in the seventh inning.

Brandon Miller (Vesuvius/Rockbridge County) took the pitching win, improving to 3-3. Theiringer picked up his second save of the day.  The duo combined to strike out seven and walk just two.

The Marlins connected for nine hits, led by sophomore Casey Bryant (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes) with a 3-for-4 effort.

Dan Stokus (Ashburn/Arlington Bishop O'Connell) started on the mound for the Marlins and faced 30 batters in 6.1 innings.  He struck out five batters, walked three and gave up 10 hits and six earned runs.  Junior Brooks Kirby (Warwickshire, England/Cobham) closed for the Marlins.

Virginai Wesleyan competes again on Tuesday, March 19, taking on Methodist University in a non-conference game beginning at 3 p.m. at Marlins Field.

--AMDG--