Box Score The Basics
Score: Roanoke 11 | Ferrum 7
Records: Maroons 17-7 / 10-3 ODAC | Panthers 5-15 / 2-9 ODAC
Location: Salem, Va.
The Lead: Roanoke played host to Ferrum on Tuesday night looking to complete the season sweep of the Panthers. RC won at Ferrum, 3-1, back on March 24th. The Maroons put up six, first inning, runs to seize control of the matchup. A Ferrum rally made it a one-run game late, but three more runs by the Maroons would seal the 11-7 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) win.
How it Happened:
- After a foul out, Mason Staz singled and advanced on an error on a pickoff attempt. Carter Plunkett reached on an infield hit and Will Merriken was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Conner Butler reached on an error by the third baseman as Staz crossed the plate. Jonny Wall drove in a pair with a base hit and then a Cale Agee double to center cleared the bases. Agee would score the sixth run of the inning on a single by Will Smith.
- The Panthers would add runs in the second and third to make it a 6-2 game heading into the bottom of the fourth.
- Tyler De Meo led off the inning with a single and advanced on a Staz bunt base hit. Plunkett then delivered his ODAC leading 12th double of the season off the left field wall to drive in a pair and increase the RC advantage to 8-2.
- A fielder's choice in the sixth would cut the Maroons lead to 8-3.
- In the bottom of the seventh, Butler hit a towering shot off the top of the left centerfield wall for a double but was stranded as the Maroons took the 8-3 lead into the eighth inning.
- Ferrum would not go quietly and in the top of the eighth scored four runs on three hits and a Roanoke miscue. With two Panthers still on base, Josh Dawson came in to record the final out.
- The Maroons answered in the bottom half. Gavin Kandrick doubled to start the inning and De Meo walked to put two runners on. Smith would drive in one with a single but got thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Staz delivered a RBI double and advanced on a wild pitch leading to an intentional free pass to Plunkett. Merriken laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to score Staz and make it 11-7.
- Dawson recorded the final three outs as the Maroons took the season series over Ferrum.
- Staz finished 3-4 with three runs scored while Plunkett and Kandrick were each 2-4 with a double. Will Turner pitched three innings in relief and notched his fifth win of the season and Dawson picked up his first save of 2021.
Up Next: Roanoke is scheduled to travel to Greensboro for a non-conference game with the Pride tomorrow.
