Rindge, NH - The Vermont State University Lyndon baseball team opened North Atlantic Conference play with a doubleheader against Thomas College on Saturday afternoon. The Hornets came away with a come from behind win in the opener, before Thomas answered by taking the nightcap. Lyndon is now 5-10 o the season and 1-1 in NAC play, while Thomas is 5-12 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
Game 1 - VTSU Lyndon 10, Thomas 8
The Terriers jumped out to an early 4-1 lead before Lyndon rallied to take the shootout. Jeren Harrison (Charlotte, NC) had a big game at the plate to lead Lyndon. He logged a two-run home run and a single and scored three times. Tredell Blow (Yorktown, VA), Carter Paquette (Shoreham, VT), and Sean Dunton (Quechee, VT) all had extra base hits for the Hornets.
Thomas was led by Ajay Rychcik, who delivered a home run and a double with three runs batted in. Gus Hollen, Gavin Clark, and Grady Hotham also homered for the Terriers.
Mike Redmond (Plantation, FL) pitched 6.1 innings in relief to collect the win. He struck out six and allowed six runs (five earned, and 11 hits. Keegan Stephenson (Lander, WY) picked up the save after holding Thomas scoreless over the final 1.1 innings. Gage Eggleston, the second of three Thomas pitchers, took the loss.
Game 2 - Thomas 7, VTSU Lyndon 4
Thomas took a 5-1 lead, then held off a late Lyndon rally to salvage a split. Rychcik hit another home run and drove in three. Hayden Dippner hit a solo home run leading off the bottom of the first inning for the Terriers. Thomas pounded out 12 hits over seven innings.
Ryan Alt (Poultney, VT) homered for Lyndon. Cesar Cisneros (National City, CA) and Aaron LeFrancois (Rutland, VT) added two hits apiece.
Kyle Delano went the distance to pick up the win for Thomas. He struck out a pair and allowed seven hits. Carlos Rodriguez (La Mirada, CA) also pitched a complete game for Lyndon. He struck out five and allowed four earned runs.
The same two teams will meet again for another doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. Like today's games, Sunday's doubleheader will be played at Franklin Pierce University's Pappas Field, with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 pm.
