SALEM, Va. -- Big hits helped lift Virginia Wesleyan College's baseball Marlins to an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) sweep at Roanoke College on Saturday.

The host Maroons posted a 3-1 victory in the opening game, but the Marlins came back in the nightcap for a 2-0 decision.  While Roanoke dropped to 4-8 in the league, and to 11-12 overall, Virginia Wesleyan improved to 5-8 in the ODAC and to 11-17 overall.

Junior Jordan Miller (Chesapeake/Grassfield) put the Marlins on the scoreboard, and in the lead, in the second game when he led off the fourth inning with a home run into left field. VWC tacked on another run in the top of the sixth when junior Zach Bach (Virginia Beach/Frank W. Cox) scored on a single to center field by rookie Ty Boothe (Virginia Beach/Floyd E. Kellam).

Roanoke produced several threats throughout the game, but Virginia Wesleyan's defense came through with the timely outs to keep the Maroons marooned. Two Roanoke runners were left stranded in four different innings.

Marlin pitchers contributed to the effort to keep the Maroons scoreless, dropping Roanoke 1-2-3 in both the seventh and the ninth innings. Rookie Will Hickey (New Hyde Park, N.Y./New Hyde Park) recorded his first save of the season in the second game, guiding the Marlins through the final two innings.  He faced only six batters, struck out two, and gave up nothing.  Hickey entered the game in relief of senior Brooks Kirby (Warwickshire, United Kingdom/Cobham School) who pitched to six Maroons. He also struck out two and allowed just one hit. Junior Dylan Stoskus (Ashburn/Arlington Bishop O'Connell) improved to 2-2 with the win.  He worked 5.2 innings and fanned three, walked two, and scattered seven hit.

John Ruhlman (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes) took the loss for Roanoke after six innings on the mound.  He struck out five, walked two, and gave up six hits and two earned runs. Austin Gregory (Roanoke/Hidden Valley) pitched in relief.

VWC outhit Roanoke 9-8 in the second game, led by Boothe with two singles. Taylor Erby (Norfolk/Lake Taylor) and Casey King (Virginia Beach/Bayside) both hit a double for the Marlins.  Three Maroons recorded a pair of hits each to lead Roanoke.

Virginia Wesleyan managed only four singles in the first game, but posted a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Rookie C.J. Lindsay (Remington/Bealeton Liberty) led off the inning drawing a walk, moved to second on a Taylor Erby single, and advanced to third when Boothe put down a sacrifice bunt.  Lindsay scored on a sacrifice fly from rookie Clay Walker (South Hill/Park View).

The Marlins produced only two hits after that, while Roanoke came up with enough offense to take the lead and ride it to the win.

Junior Alex Tucci (Stewartstown, Pa./York Catholic) fell to 3-3 for the Marlins, pitching a complete game and striking out five.  He walked four batters and surrendered seven hits and two earned runs.

Cameron Holshouser (Salem/Glenvar) worked all nine innings for Roanoke and struck out nine batters. He walked two and gave up four hits and one earned run.

Virginia Wesleyan returns to competition on Wednesday, April 9, hosting Hampden-Sydney College's Tigers in a single ODAC contest beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Marlins Field.

--AMDG--