HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Zach Bach ripped a ninth-inning double to score rookie Justin Erby with what turned out to be the winning run in a 3-2 Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory over the host Tigers of Hampden-Sydney College on Wednesday.

The victory avenged an earlier loss this season to the same team in Virginia Beach when the Tigers belted out 16 hits off a combination of six Marlin pitchers.  In Wednesday's rematch the Marlins used only two hurlers, turning to their most experienced pitchers to help post the win.

Junior Alex Tucci (Stewartstown, Pa./York Catholic) pitched the first seven innings, before senior Brooks Kirby (Warwickshire, United Kingdom/Cobham School) took over for the final two innings..  Tucci struck out four Tigers, walked three, and scattered nine hits, but did not allow an earned run.  Kirby took the win to improve to 2-2, facing seven batters and giving up just one hit.

Hampden-Sydney (23-13, 7-10 ODAC) managed only four hits in its last four innings at bat after taking a 2-0 lead with three hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Christian Hamlett (Midlothian/Cosby) doubled to score Hunter Lewis (Newport News/Menchville), who singled earlier.  Hamlett scored with the help of a passed ball and a VWC error.

Virginia Wesleyan cut into the lead with a run scored in the top of the sixth.  Rookie Taylor Erby (Norfolk/Lake Taylor) put it all in place when he doubled and then scored the run aided by an H-SC error and a grounder by rookie Clay Walker (South Hill/Park View). The Marlins tied the score with a run in the top of the seventh and took the lead in the ninth.  Justin Erby (Norfolk/Lake Taylor) singled with one out and Bach (Virginia Beach/Frank W. Cox) followed with the game-winning double.

Virginia Wesleyan (13-21, 7-11 ODAC) recorded nine hits overall, led by Bach's 3-for-4 showing at the plate. Rookie Ty Boothe (Virginia Beach/Floyd E. Kellam)was 2-for-4 and Justin Erby finished 2-for-2.  Junior Jordan Miller (Chesapeake/Grassfield) connected for a double.

Lewis led H-SC with three hits in four trips to the plate.  Teddy West (Lanexa/Warhill) started on the mound for the Tigers and worked six innings. He fanned two and walked one while allowing six hits. Matt Hinson (Kinston, N.C./Arendell Parrott Academy) pitched the final three innings and dropped to 3-3.

Virginia Wesleyan closes the regular season on Saturday, April 19, in an ODAC doubleheader hosting the Generals of Washington and Lee University starting at 12 p.m.  It will be Senior Day for VWC.

--AMDG--