Reinhardt, Bluefield Each go 1-1 in Friday Doubleheader
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
BLUEFIELD, Va. – The 16th-ranked Eagles headed to Virginia to take on the Rams of Bluefield in a doubleheader Friday afternoon, but it was the hosts who started off hot in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup with a 6-1 victory.
It wasn't until game two that Reinhardt (23-10, 10-7 AAC) put some things together on both the mound and at the plate in a 9-1 triumph.
"Really disappointed in how we played today as we had a very lazy atmosphere by our team," head coach Jonathan Burton said. "We are trying to create a culture that demands accountability, structure, and focus – all while playing the game in a way that justifies the sacrifices each of us give on a daily basis to this team. Today, we just took the game and the process for granted, and I, as the head coach, must make sure that we never play to that standard again.
"Bluefield dominated game one from the first pitch and we just didn't have any answers for them. In game two, we found our way a little bit and Dolensky stepped up and did what a senior should do on the mound. We are a better team than what we showed today, and tomorrow needs to be the day we show it and win the series."
A five-run third inning iced the game for the Rams in the opener, as they dominated on the mound by holding the hometown squad to five hits. The third frame saw multiple errors by the Eagles – and a bases-loaded walk – that set the tone for the afternoon.
The only tally for Reinhardt came off the bat of Jacob Profit on an RBI-single in the eighth. Bluefield would follow that up by getting that run right back in the bottom of the frame on an RBI-knock as well.
Andres Ugarte (2-for-4) and Devin Symlar (2-for-3) combined for four of their team's five hits.
Ethan Foley struck out five batters, but gave up five runs in six innings pitched in defeat.
Bluefield again took the lead in the second contest – this time in the bottom of the first frame – but gave up two big innings to their guests (the fourth (4) and seventh (5)).
Ugarte tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI-single to left, and then three more tallies came in compliment of Albert Mora (RBI-double) and Symlar (2-RBI single). Now ahead, 4-1, the AAC battle was blown wide open in the seventh after a 2-run blast from Gianmarco Marcelletti, another 2-RBI hit from Symlar and an error.
Daniel Dolensky gave up one earned run and stuck out five in a complete-game seven innings.
The series wraps up tomorrow at Noon.
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