Auburndale, FL - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon held a 4-3 lead through their half of the fifth inning of Thursday's baseball game with Capital University.  The Hornets were unable to hold off the Crusaders, however, as Capital got their bats going to come away with a 14-4 victory at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.  Capital improves to 6-2 on the season, while Lyndon is winless in six games.

After a scoreless first inning, Lyndon struck first in the top of the second.  Ryder Thornton (Essex, VT) was hit by a pitch leading off.  Michael Pena (New City, NY) then reached on an error and Noah Barton (South Burlington, VT) bunted both runners over.  Thornton then scored on TJ Santaw's (Newport, VT) fielder's choice.

Capital responded in the bottom half of the inning.  Konnor Black started things with a one out double, then Drew Ellis beat out an infield hit.  Black eventually came around to score on a passed ball, and Ellis came home on Garrott Kennedy's sacrifice fly.

The Hornets tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the third when Thornton's RBI single scored Codi Smith (Hartford, VT).

Capital regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Ellis drew a walk off of Hornet starter Matt Page (Groton, VT) and eventually scored on Shayne Lyons' base hit.

Lyndon moved back in front in the top of the fifth inning.  Caleb Laroche (Franklin, VT) got things going with a base hit.  Smith followed with a double, then Tucker Root (Middlefield, CT) came through with a two-run single to center, making the score 4-3, Lyndon.

The Crusaders got the equalizer in the home half of the fifth inning.  Brandon Barnette was hit by a pitch leading off.  After CJ Rockwell's single, Black reached on an error, allowing Barnette to come home with the tying run.  Cooper Whitehouse (South Berwick, ME) came on to relieve Page, and the Hornets got out of the inning when left fielder Laroche threw out Rockwell at the plate.

Capital took advantage of several misuces to push across four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Bryce Grisez was hit leading off.  Connor Richardson then reached on an error, and Grisez scored on a wild pitch.  Barnette then doubled home Richardson, and came around to score himself on Black's base hit.  Kennedy drew a bases loaded walk to bring home the fourth run of the inning, as the Crusaders now found themselves with an 8-4 lead.

Capital put the game away with five more runs on only two hits in the bottom of the seventh.  The big blow in the rally was Kennedy's two-out, two-run double.  Brendan Stinson added a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to account for the final score.

Garrett Montgomery earned the win in relief for Capital.  He pitched 4.2 scoreless, hitless innings, striking out five without issuing a walk.  Whitehouse took the loss for the Hornets.

Lyndon will continue their week at the Russ Matt Invitational with two single games on Friday.  First, they will face Hanover College at 10:00 am, then they will square off against SUNY Purchase at 1:30 pm.