Eagles Take Two Over Trojans at LakePoint
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
EMERSON, Ga. – The 17th-ranked Eagles earned their first sweep on the diamond of 2021 on Friday evening after a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in extra innings provided the exclamation point of the day in 6-3 and 3-2 (11 innings) decisions against Taylor (Ind.).
The pair of wins over the Trojans – who are receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 – got Reinhardt back to even on the year at 3-3.
"Very proud of our team tonight as we saw some really good arms – probably the best we have seen over a 20-inning period this year," head coach Jonathan Burton said. "We are struggling a bit offensively, but we are trying a lot of moving parts. Taylor is a very solid opponent, and these games will make us better… I love the way Taylor plays. Kyle does a great job, and tomorrow will be another battle that requires us to do the small things well."
Game 1: W, 6-3
- A lead-off walk in the bottom of the second by Gianmarco Marcelletti helped provide the opening scoring for the hosts as Dalton Turnbow singled to left-center for the early 1-0 lead. The cushion was upped to a pair compliments of an RBI-double from Albert Mora in the fourth, but it was back to one run in the fifth after an error.
- The Eagles bounced right back, however, in the bottom of the fifth and got themselves a 3-1 lead – then a 4-1 score in the bottom of the seventh on a Marcelletti single.
- Both clubs would touch home plate in the eighth, as Taylor would get two tallies to get back within one (4-3), but Reinhardt responded once more with two runs of its own on a Dayton Romig 2-run blast.
- Three Eagles had two hits each as they totaled 11 knocks in the win.
- Daniel Dolensky was victorious on the mound with five Ks in five innings of work, and Alex Watkins went 1.1 frames for the save.
Game 2: W, 3-2 (11 innings)
- Gianmarco Marcelletti gave the hometown squad a 1-0 lead on an RBI-triple in the fourth, and then came around to score the second run of the inning on an error in the infield.
- All would be quiet on the scoreboard until the top of the ninth inning, where the Trojans came through in the clutch with a game-tying homer over the left-field fence. The threat wasn't done there, either, as another single and an error put more runs within reach for Taylor with just one out, but a pair of strikeouts ended the inning.
- Both teams had chances to take the lead in the 10th frame but failed to do so, setting the stage for a great finish in the following inning. More Trojan strikeouts ended the at-bat for Taylor, and the visitors wouldn't get another chance after the Eagles worked their way to bases loaded before Albert Mora was asked to pinch hit – and was hit by the ball on the first pitch.
- Reinhardt slipped past the Trojans despite garnering only five hits in game two.
- Parker Miller got the win in relief after a pair of innings and four strikeouts.
The series concludes tomorrow at 3 p.m. after rain in the area has pushed back the start time.
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