EMERSON, Ga. – The William and Mary Tribe baseball team returned action for the first time in two weeks, and did so in a big way, picking up a 9-3 victory over Northern Kentucky in Emerson, Ga. on Saturday night. With the victory, the Tribe evened their record at 2-2, while the Norse fell to 2-6.
Freshman Cullen Large, senior Willie Shaw, junior Charley Gould, and senior Devin White each collected a pair of hits in the victory. Gould and junior Ryan Hissey hit homers in the game as well.
Northern Kentucky got on the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the second inning. Logan Spurlin led off the top half of the second inning with a solo homer. The first home run of the year for the Norse, gave them a 1-0 lead.
W&M stormed back for two runs of its own in the home half of the second inning. Freshman Ryan Hall led of the frame with a double to left field, moving to third on a groundout. The next batter, Devin White singled up the middle bringing home Hall. With White on second, freshman Cullen Large roped a single into left field, giving the Tribe a 2-1 advantage.
The Tribe added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, thanks to the long ball. Shaw reached on a one-out error, starting the rally. The next batter, Hissey, hit a two-run homer over the right field wall. Hissey's second homer of the season gave the Tribe a 4-1 lead.
NKU responded in the top of the sixth with the third home run of the game. David Kuzniczci hit a home run over the left field wall. His first homer of the season cut the score to 4-2.
The Green and Gold put the game away with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Devin White led off the frame with a single, moving to second on a single from junior Josh Smith. The next batter, Large hit an infield single, loading the bases. After an out, Shaw hit a single right up the middle, plating Devin White. Gould, the next batter, mashed a grand slam home run over the right center field wall to give the Tribe a 9-2 advantage.
Northern Kentucky tried to rally, but only mustered a lone run in the top of the eighth inning. With one out, Kuzniczi doubled to center, before moving to third on a groundout. The next batter, Trey Ganns singled, bringing home the final run of the game.
Senior Jason Inghram tossed 7.2 innings to pick up his first victory of the season. He allowed three runs, while scattering six hits, and fanned six Norse batter. Freshman Michael Toner pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing just three hits, while striking out two batters.
Gould led the Tribe with four RBIs in the contest. Hissey also chipped in two runs driven in the game.
The College will play a doubleheader tomorrow at the Lake Point Spots Complex in Emerson, Ga. against Northern Kentucky. First pitch of the double dip is slated for 3 p.m.
