Wilmington, N.C. – The William & Mary baseball team scored four runs through the first five innings, but CAA rival UNCW sparked a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to edge the Tribe, 6-5, on Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field. With the defeat, the Tribe falls to 12-10 overall and 0-2 in league action, while the Seahawks move to 11-10, 2-0 in conference play.
 
Sophomore Bodie Sheehan produced a solid start as he went eight innings for the second time in his career with seven strikeouts and three runs on five hits.
 
Offensively, junior Ryan Hall and sophomore Hunter Smith led the way with two hits apiece. Hall also posted a double and drove in a run. Senior Charles Ameer and freshman Patrick Ryan both notched an RBI, while Cullen Large recorded a double and an RBI.
 
It didn't take long for the Tribe to manufacture offense after putting a run on the scoreboard in the top of the first. With one out, senior Ryder Miconi knocked a single to center field and crossed home plate on back-to-back two-out singles, giving W&M a 1-0 lead.
 
W&M tacked on another run in the second inning courtesy of two hits and an error. After the first out, Ryan reached on an error by the shortstop and then stole second base. Freshman Matthew Trehub laced a single to left field, before Hall hit an RBI single through the left side, putting the Tribe ahead 2-0.
 
In the top of the fourth, the Green and Gold worked a little two-out magic to pad its lead. With one out, Hall was hit by a pitch and moved to second base on a balk. Large plated Hall behind a two-out double down the left field line to give W&M a 3-0 margin.
 
However, the Seahawks responded with their first run of the afternoon in the bottom half of the fourth. Nick Feight recorded his second home run of the series with a solo shot, trimming the deficit to 3-1.
 
The Tribe quickly pushed the margin back to a three-run advantage in the fifth inning. Following an out, rookie Brandon Raquet forced a walk and then stole second base. Redshirt-sophomore Kyle Wrighte followed suit with another walk, before Ryan belted an RBI single to right field, lifting W&M to a 4-1 lead.
 
Nonetheless, UNCW cut into the Tribe's lead with another run in the bottom of the sixth. Casey Golden led off with a double to center field. Brian Mims followed up with a double down the left field line to plate Golden, creating a 4-2 affair.
 
The Green and Gold kept pace with a single run the top of the eighth. Hall smashed a leadoff double to left center, before a grounder advanced him to third base. A wild pitch on the next at bat allowed Hall to reach home and give W&M a 5-1 advantage.
 
Regardless, the Seahawks registered a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to erase the deficit and clinch the series. Feight hit a leadoff single up the middle, before a hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases. Daniel Stack then hit a three-RBI double to center field for a 5-all score. Stack eventually reached home on a fielder's choice to conclude the contest.
 
Robert White (2-1) was dealt the loss as he surrendered three runs on one hit. Chris Joyner (1-0) earned the win, fanning four batters and allowing no hits in two innings of relief.
 
The weekend series concludes tomorrow, Sunday, March 26. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.