SALEM, VA--The Roanoke College baseball team fell to 0-2 on the season following a 7-2 loss to Southern Virginia University on Friday afternoon in Salem, VA. The Maroons suffer their second loss in as many days after dropping the season-opener 9-8 to Bluefield College on Thursday night in Salem. The team takes the next four days off before returning to action on Wednesday at Greensboro College in Greensboro, NC.

The Maroons fell behind 2-0 after the first half inning of play. A two out double to centerfield by the Knights brought in two baserunners who had reached on a lead-off single and a hit batter. Both runs came off of Maroon freshman Jonathan Wills (Salem, VA/Salem) who was making his first collegiate start. Wills was able to strike out the side in the first inning, but allowed the two runs.

The bottom of the third saw the Maroons cut the lead in half. After Nathan Unroe (Iron Gate, VA/Allegheny) reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a Knight error, sophomore Brandon Wilson (Smithfield, VA/Smithfield) singled to right to score Unroe and make the score 2-1.

The Knights pushed the lead back up to two runs in the top of the fourth, but the Maroons responded with one of their own in the bottom of the inning. Brandon Coates (Gladys, VA/William Campbell) doubled to left field and would later score on a Robby Hoopes (Roanoke, VA/Northside) single. The Maroons actually had runners on second and third in the inning, but could only muster the one run. The Knights scored three times in the top of the fifth and one more time in the top of the ninth inning to put the game out of reach.

Wills suffered the loss for the Maroons. The freshman went four innings and allowed five runs on six hits. He struck out four batters, while as a team the Maroons recorded 11 strikeouts. Sophomore Eric Dudley (Buena Vista, VA/Parry McCluer) threw 2.2 innings in the late innings, striking out five. Wilson, Hoopes, and Coates each had two hits for the Maroons.

Roanoke vs. Southern Virginia Box Score