Eagles Let Early Lead Slip at Brewton Parker

MOUNT VERNON, Ga. — Reinhardt University built a two-run lead through four and a half innings, but a three-run fifth by Brewton-Parker turned the game around as the Eagles dropped a 4-2 decision on Tuesday afternoon.

Reinhardt manufactured single runs in the second and fifth innings to go up 2-0 before Brewton-Parker answered with a decisive rally in the bottom of the fifth. The Barons tied the game and moved in front on a two-RBI double, then tacked on an insurance run in the sixth. Brewton-Parker's staff kept the Eagles off the board over the final four innings, and reliever Jack Hulse closed it out to hand Reinhardt the non-conference road loss.

The Eagles struck first at the top of the second. After Brock Sisson reached, Adam Harris delivered an RBI single to open the scoring and give Reinhardt a 1-0 advantage. Reinhardt continued to pressure Brewton-Parker on the bases throughout the day, swiping seven total bags, but stranded nine runners as missed opportunities loomed large in the final margin.

Reinhardt doubled its lead in the fifth. Harris reached and came around to score when Ethan Moore ripped an RBI double, pushing the Eagles in front 2-0. Moore finished with two hits, including the run-scoring double, and added three stolen bases, while Harris chipped in a hit, an RBI, a walk, and two steals as the top of the lineup keyed the offensive production. Moore has had the hot bat for the Eagles in this early season.

Reinhardt's staff allowed just five hits over eight innings and struck out four, but five walks and three defensive errors helped fuel Brewton-Parker's comeback. Offensively, the Eagles collected eight hits and drew five walks, yet the Barons' bullpen. Reinhardt's starter, Brock Weiss, pitched five innings, striking out one and allowing four hits. Miles Morris came in for relief to pitch the final three innings and recorded three strikeouts and only allowed one hit.

Despite the setback, the Eagles showed an aggressive offensive approach and solid early pitching that put them in position to win on the road. With Moore and Harris pacing the attack and the staff limiting hard contact, Reinhardt produced a competitive effort that the team will look to build on as it moves deeper into the early-season schedule.

Reinhardt will begin their AAC campaign this Friday and Saturday with a series against the Royals of Johnson University.  This is the home opener for the Eagles, and they will play the doubleheader on Friday and then a single on Saturday.