ETTRICK, VA (April 18, 2021) –
Game One
Scoring came early and often in the first game of the day as Salem International University was able to post three runs in the first inning. The Trojans spotted the Tigers the first run of the game after four straight batters reached first base after being hit by a pitch. Following a pitching change Dalton Robison singled into left field to score two, to make the score 0-3 in the bottom of the first inning. 
The bottom of the first inning started with Ceil Henderson drawing a walk. Aaron Harris would then double into right center field, which put the two in scoring position. Joshua Tayman has been on a tear with runners in scoring position this season as he added two more RBI to his collection to make 14 in 13 games. After Jeremiah Hardy added another hit to his stellar weekend, Tayman came in to score from second to make the score 3-3 heading into the top of the second inning. 
Austin Earl singled to allow Quinten Collins to touch them all to make the score 3-4 with no outs. The play of the inning came from Henderson and Tayman connecting on a double play to cease the Tigers momentum. This would allow the Trojans to hold the score 3-4 in the top of the second inning. 
The Trojans would break away in the bottom of the third inning scoring five runs. The first run of the half inning came on a hustle play from Henderson as he scored from first base on an error tying the game at 4-4. The RBI machine in Tayman would bring a run home to score with one out to put the Trojans in front 5-4. The big slugger Miles Burton brought two in to score following a hard hit ball into left field. Though Chase Moore is known for his defensive prowess, he was able to bring Emmett Jefferson to home plate to make the score 8-4 heading into the top of the fourth inning. 
Jerrod Johnmeyer spun on a ball and sent a high drive to deep left field and over the fence to cut into the lead 8-5 in the top of the fifth inning. 
As the Trojans are known for scoring in bunches, the offense added four insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Tayvon Dawson foreshadowed the inning for us as the lefty hit a triple into right field with one out. Harris addded the second double of the game for himself that would bring Dawson and Moore into home plate. Tayman added yet another RBI in this game as he drew a bases loaded walk. The Last run of the game saw Harris touch home plate as Jefferson drew a walk which made the final score 12-5.
 
Tyquon Wilkins earned his first win of the year for the Trojans as he allowed just five hits and two earned runs.
 
The Trojans acquired 12 hits in the 12 - 5 victory in game one.
 
 
Game Two
The Tigers showed that they took the game one loss to heart as they came out aggressive. Noah Suarez opened the game with a walk and found his way all the way around the base paths to score notching the first run of the ball game. Tyler Shinn singled to score Austin Earl to make the score 0-2 at the top of the first inning. 
 Kevin Russell scored the first run of the game for the Trojans thanks to an RBI single off the bat of who? You guessed it, Joshua Tayman. This would cut into the lead 1-2 in the bottom of inning number one.
SIU would add to their lead in the top of the third inning after Kasey Buchanan scored Cameron Abele on a single into left field to make the score 1-3.
The top of the fourth inning saw the Tigers notch another run due to Kobie Carpenter scoring on a wild pitch making the score 1-4.
For two innings, the Trojans held the score to 1-4 in hopes of going on one of their well-documented scoring sprees but the top of the seventh inning saw Salem get hot as the team was able to push past five runs to seal the game to make the final score 1-9 in favor of the Tigers.
 
Despite sending six batters packing due to a nasty breaking ball, Nick Woolfolk took his second loss of the season as he walked nine and gave up six hits in the game. 
 
 
Day Two Top Performers
Cecil Henderson: 2-5, 3 Runs, 3 Walks.
Markiys Dillard: 2.0 Innings Pitched, 2 strikeouts, allowed 1 hit, 1 walk.
Aaron Harris: 2-8, 3 RBI, 3 Runs.
Joshua Tayman: 3-6, 5 RBI, 2 Runs, 2 Walks.
Jeremiah Hardy: 2-6, RBI, Run, Walk.
Tayvon Dawson: 2-5, RBI, Run, Walk. 
 
 
Up Next
The Trojans have opted out of the rest of the 2021 spring season due to COVID - 19 concerns. Season recap coming soon. 
 
 
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