Eagles beat nationally ranked opponent on the road
WBC Sports
Shane Stolz, Sports Information Director
HENDERSON, TENN. – The Eagles from Williams Baptist College traveled to Freed-Hardeman University for an American Midwest Conference contest on Wednesday afternoon. The Eagles came away with their first conference win over the 23rd ranked Lions from FHU. WBC overcame a three run deficit to force extra-innings before winning 10-7 in inning 10.
Williams entered the game without a win in the AMC. However, the team used a four-run 10th inning to get the victory. They used four singles in the round to go along with one hit-by-pitch and one walk.
Layne Ditto led the Eagles on by reaching base with the hit-by-pitch. After a strikeout, Morgan Hawley beat out a throw for an infield single. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, a strikeout brought senior Nick Scott to the dish with the bases loaded and 2-out. Scott singled to right field for his fourth hit of the game, scoring Layne Ditto and giving WBC a 7-6 lead.
Next up, Seth Hart drove in his 14th run on the season with an infield single, extending the lead to 8-6. The third straight came when Cam Smith hit a line drive to left-center field, scoring Jose Rojas and Nick Scott for a 10-6 lead. The two runs would be RBI number 17 and 18 on the season for Smith. He currently leads the Eagles.
Freed would get one run back in the bottom of 10, but Dalton Freshour made a rare relief appearance, slamming the door shut for his first save on the season.
The game reached extra innings after WBC got off to a 2-0 early lead before the Lions scored five runs in the third inning to take a 5-2 advantage. However, the Eagles fought back, scoring four runs in the fifth to regain the advantage. FHU responded to tie the game at six and send the game to extra-innings.
Box Score:
Spencer Thielemier earned his second win on the season by throwing 4.1 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. He struck out six batters, while walking two.
Dalton Freshour earned his first career save by striking out the only two batters he faced. Freshour, Thielemier, Jacob Jumper, Garrett Shaffer, and Anthony Noftsger combined to strikeout 14 Lion hitters in the 10 innings of play.
The Eagles out-hit FHU 15-10 in the contest. Nick Scott led the team, going 4-for-6 with three runs scored and one RBI. Cam Smith continued to drive in runs, going 2-for-6 with four runs driven in and one run scored. Jose Rojas scored two runs after going 2-for-5 and Layne Ditto went 2-for-4 from plate with two runs scored and two RBI. Ditto and Scott had a double each for WBC’s two extra-base knocks.
Up Next: WBC will travel to Parkville, Mo., for a weekend series with Park University. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at noon on Friday, March 17, and a single game on March 18. Saturday’s game will begin at noon as well.