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Reinhardt Drops Tough One to No. 7 Cumberlands (Ky.), but is Placed No. 23 in the Country

Reinhardt Drops Tough One to No. 7 Cumberlands (Ky.), but is Placed No. 23 in the Country
Box Score

Team Stats

March 11, 2020

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Daniel Wilson

EMERSON, Ga. – After a high-flying last couple of weeks on the diamond – which included six-consecutive victories and multiple triumphs over top-10 teams – Reinhardt baseball jumped into the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 Poll on Wednesday at No. 23 shortly before its contest with newly-seventh-ranked Cumberlands (Ky.).

The Eagles soared to their national rating with 126 total points, which is voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences and the Association of Independent Institutions.

It's the first time in school history that the baseball team has found itself in the Top 25 in the initial regular-season edition of the rankings.

To view the full release of the poll from the NAIA, please click here.

As for the matchup with the Patriots, the visitors were able to come from behind in the middle innings and score four runs – and add an insurance tally in the ninth – all while leaving a pair of Eagles stranded in scoring position in the bottom of the last at-bat to win, 6-4, in a battle of two nationally-ranked teams.

"Another tough, top-10 loss for us," lead Eagle Jonathan Burton said. "These hurt more and more each time as we have now had three of them within one or two runs. It comes down to adjusting earlier in these games instead of waiting until the last three innings to make a run.

"I feel we are close, but close doesn't help you reach your goals. We will not stop until we figure this thing out, I can promise that. Whatever we have to do to fix this we are going to do. Just tired of the close losses – and it's time to take the next step – it's time to go."

Cumberlands got on the board in the top of the first on an RBI-double, but surrendered the lead in the bottom of the third to the Eagles as they touched home plate a trio of times after back-to-back bases-loaded walks and a wild pitch.

Now down, 3-1, the Patriots responded with three scores of their own in the fifth on a 2-RBI double and a single to center to regain the advantage by one at 4-3. They would then move ahead by two in the top of the sixth after crossing home plate before the final out was registered in a rundown.

Reinhardt got back within one at 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth following a single from Keven Jimenez, but a ninth-inning double moved the disadvantage back to two tallies (6-4) with just three outs remaining. The hometown team would get a pair of base runners in scoring position with one out, but couldn't complete the comeback, as Cumberlands got a pop up and a groundout to end the threat.

The Eagles (18-7) totaled eight hits and Malique Foreman lead the way at 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. They also walked seven times as a team in the defeat.

Jason Ferreras got the loss in his start from the mound after giving up four runs in five innings of work with a couple strikeouts.

Appalachian Athletic Conference play continues on Friday with the opener of three games against Montreat (N.C.). 

First pitch is set for 4 p.m. inside Ken White Baseball Field.

For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram. 

For more information on Reinhardt Baseball, please click here.