Breakout Second Inning Pushes Eagles Past Ave Maria
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 1 |
|
|
2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | X | 12 | 16 | 1 |
Waleska, GA - Reinhardt Baseball continued its amazing season on Monday, hosting the Waleska Bracket in the Opening Round of the 2025 NAIA National Tournament. The Eagles scored six runs in the first two innings, putting them out of reach for the visiting Gyrenes of Ave Maria University with a score of 12-5.
Starting the game on the mound for the Eagles was junior Adam Christopher. Christopher kept the Eagles competitive against a tough Opening Round opponent. However, it was in the second inning that Reinhardt made a definitive move, scoring six runs, which set a commanding tone for the game. Key players included Robert Phelps and Nash Crowell, whose impressive hitting contributed significantly to the Eagles' scoreline. Phelps, especially notable for his performance, was 4-for-5 at the plate, scoring four runs, which included a crucial solo home run in the seventh inning. The home run was the icing on the cake of a solid first game for the Eagles!
Christopher pitched 3.1 innings for the Eagles, striking out two batters and scattering five hits. Lefty Hayes Bryant came in to pitch an inning in relief of Christopher. The story of the game on the mound for the Eagles was reliever Logan Lynch, who pitched 3.2 innings and controlled the game when it seemed that Ave Maria was making a move to catch the Eagles. Inning after inning, Lynch sat down the Gyrenes, striking out five and only allowing one hit.
Sophomore Ryan Mahoney, who saw action in last week's AAC Tournament, was called to close out the game for the Eagles in the top of the ninth, where he struck out two of the three batters he faced.
Reinhardt (GA)Pitchers
| Pitchers | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Christopher | 3.1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Hayes Bryant (W, 1-0) | 1.0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Logan Lynch | 3.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Ryan Mahoney | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Totals | 9.0 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
Further consolidating the victory, Crowell hit a two-run homer in the first inning, reinforcing the Eagles' standing and tying the game after an initial lead by Ave Maria. in the first inning Contributions also came from other players including Adrian Vargas, Louis Dion, and Cade Chamlee, each adding runs and RBI's to the scoreboard. Vargas and Dion were both 3 for 5 at the plate with Dion capturing a game high three RBIs!
The game day ended with the Eagles solidifying their dominance and preparing for their next challenge against the Loyola Wolf Pack in game two of the bracket. The Eagles extended their record to 43-11 as they continue to make their way to back-to-back appearance to the NAIA World Series. The Wolf Pack will be a tough opponent in Tuesday's game with the winner advancing to the Waleska Bracket title game.