VIRGINIA BEACH -- Virginia Wesleyan College's baseball Marlins closed within a 5-4 score six innings of Monday's non-conference game against the Eagles of the University of Mary Washington, before one big hit changed things.

Senior Jono Haught (Spotsylvania, Va./Courtland) knocked out a three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning as Mary Washington produced four runs to pull away for a 10-4 non-conference win at Marlins Field.

Virginia Wesleyan (7-5) managed only a walk in the final two innings, as Mary Washington held on for the win.

The visiting Eagles never trailed in the contest, moving out to a 5-0 lead after the first three innings. Virginia Wesleyan rallied in the following three innings to cut the gap to 5-4, helped by a two-run fifth inning. Josh Mason (Chesapeake/Bishop Sullivan Catholic), Jordan Miller (Chesapeake/Grassfield), and Trey Hanchey (Norfolk/Granby) all singled in the inning for the Marlins.

Virginia Wesleyan produced nine hits, led by rookie Brandon Kussmaul (Virginia Beach/Landstown) and Mason with two singles each.  Sophomore Austin Gammon (Chesterfield/Lloyd C. Bird) belted out a double.

Rookie Seth Houston (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes) was the starting pitcher the Marlins, who used five men on the mound.  The group combined to strike out five, walking five, and surrender 13 hits and eight earned runs.

Six pitchers worked for UMW, led by Gabe Tonga who worked the longest, 4.0 innings.  He struck out five, walked six, and gave up two outs en route to picking up the win.

Virginia Wesleyan competes again on Thursday, March 26, at Christopher Newport University at 3 p.m

--AMDG--