Box Score
FERRUM, Va. -- Roanoke jumped out to a 4-2 lead after three innings and held on for a 10-8 non-conference baseball win over Ferrum this afternoon at Panther Field. The Maroons won their first season-opener in three years, while the Panthers fell to 1-1 on the young season.
Roanoke is now 4-8 against Ferrum all-time. They have won three consecutive games after losing eight of the first nine meetings against the Panthers.
Jacob Clifton (Vinton, VA, William Byrd) began his career with the Maroons on a stellar note, going 2-for-4 with a double and four RBI.
Jeremy Seipp (Arlington, VA, Washington & Lee) gave the Maroons their first run of the 2011 season with an RBI-single in the top of the second. Roanoke would not trail throughout its season-opener on the road.
In the top of the third inning, Roanoke's
Jacob Clifton (Vinton, VA, William Byrd) doubled to left field, driving in a pair of runs. He scored when
Robbie Scott (Mt. Kisco, NY, Fox Lane) single was bobbled in center field. The Maroons would tack on three more runs in the fourth as they jumped out to a 7-4 lead.
Ferrum crossed home plate in the fifth and sixth innings to get within one before
Caylen Baire (St. Albans, WV, St. Albans) forced a walk to score Seipp to take an 8-6 lead after seven innings.
Roanoke added two insurance runs in the ninth and held off a two-run Panthers rally to secure the victory.
Scott and
Zack Conner (Indianapolis, IN, North Central) each had a pair of base hits for Roanoke (1-0) as Conner scored twice in the win.
Scott Thurston (Glen Allen, VA, J.R. Tucker) finished 1-for-3 with a double, three walks, two runs and an RBI. Baire collected a hit and scored as he forced four walks.
Jason Parker, Paul Jaglowski and Sammy Holloway had two hits each for Ferrum (1-1).
Mark Wimmer (Salem, VA, Salem) (1-0) earned the win for Roanoke, throwing three innings in relief and allowing four hits, four runs and a pair of walks, while striking out two.
Tyler Grouten (Avon, CT, Avon) picked up the save as hethrew three innings of one-run ball, while striking out four to close the game.
