Baseball team begins AAC play with 9-4 victory over Virginia Intermont; same squads play conference doubleheader on Saturday

March 11, 2011

WALESKA, Ga. -- In the 2011 Appalachian Athletic Conference opener for both teams on Friday, the Reinhardt University baseball team posted a 9-4 victory over the visiting Virginia Intermont College Cobras at Ken White Baseball Field.

By scoring once in the first inning and six times in the second, Reinhardt raced out to a 7-0 lead. Virginia Intermont got back into the game with one run in the third, two runs in the fourth and another run in the seventh, making the score 7-4. The Eagles concluded the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Reinhardt had an 11-8 advantage in hits and the Cobras made six of the contest's seven errors, leading to five unearned runs for the Eagles. The hosts left 11 runners on base and VIC nine. Reinhardt turned three double plays.

Don DiPetta was 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored for the winners while freshman Josh Clark ended 2-for-4 with a sacrifice bunt and an RBI. Freshman Andy Pringle finished 1-for-1 with a run scored while Zach Kles went 1-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs and a run scored. Freshmen Phillip Bates (two walks, two runs scored) and Tucker Adams (walk, RBI, run scored) were also 1-for-3.

On the mound for the Eagles, Taylor Smith started and pitched 3 1/3 innings before giving way to Kendric McDonald, who tossed one scoreless inning. Jake Waters threw the final 4 2/3 innings for the win, giving up four hits and one run with four strikeouts.

Reinhardt improves to 6-11 overall while Virginia Intermont falls to 4-17. The same teams meet again on Saturday at Reinhardt for an AAC doubleheader at 2 p.m.