HICKORY, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Baseball Team wrapped up a home series with the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets and a five-run eighth inning proved to be the difference in the 11-8 victory for the Bears on Sunday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 11, West Virginia State 8
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (5-6), West Virginia State (0-7)
Location: Bears Field | Hickory, N.C.
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Eight different Bears hitters managed to get a hit in their series finale against the Yellow Jackets, but they were led at the plate by junior
Aaron Stamper, who was a dominant 3-for-4 with three runs batted in, two runs scored, and a pair of doubles.
Grant Fuller,
Clayton Jeffries,
Matthew Freeman and
Alex Reynolds all earned a pair of hits in the win.
• With the offense getting the attention in this one, it was the start by
Jake Conroy that gave Lenoir-Rhyne that start they needed. The junior went 5.1 innings while only giving up two runs on three hits and he fanned seven hitters in his outing.
Kevin LaRosa was credited with the win as he went 2.2 innings, giving up one run with two strikeouts.
• Hunter Bradley went 7.0 innings for the Yellow Jackets and finished the day giving up six earned runs on 13 hits and five walks. Matt Harrison took the loss as he gave up the winning runs to the Bears after earning just one out.
• WVSU had seven batters record a base knock with two having three of their own, Connor Slagill and Antonio Brown. Slagill led the road team with two RBIs and two runs scored.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
• Fuller (.538), Stamper (.800), Freeman (.600) and
Corbin Watson (.500) all hit .500 or better this weekend. Stamper also accumulated five doubles, six RBIs and four runs scored to better his season average to .500 (10-of-20).
• The Bears have won four-in-a-row. Their home record has improved to 3-4 after the series sweep.
• Lenoir-Rhyne's last successful sweep was Feb. 17 and 18, 2018 at home against Goldey-Beacom where they Bears took all three 23-3, 5-3 and 4-0.
UP NEXT:
The Bears prepare to host Belmont Abbey in a midweek game on Wednesday, Feb. 20 with first pitch set for 5 p.m.
