Dion, Lynch Power Eagles in Milligan Game One Shutout!

WALESKA, Ga. — Louis Dion supplied the power and Logan Lynch handled the rest as Reinhardt Baseball blanked Milligan Buffaloes 7-0 on Friday afternoon, breaking the game open with a four-run fifth inning to secure a convincing home victory.

The Eagles methodically built their lead, striking for two runs in the second inning, adding another in the fourth, and then delivering the decisive blow in the fifth. Dion finished 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs while scoring three times, and Lynch worked seven shutout innings on the mound to anchor Reinhardt's third straight scoreless frame against the Buffs.

Reinhardt jumped in front in the second when Dion started the rally and came around to score on a Cade Chamlee double to right field, putting the Eagles on the board. Two batters later, Brock Sisson lined a single to right, bringing in Chamlee for a 2-0 advantage. The pressure continued in the fourth as Dion again sparked the offense and scored when Chamlee reached on an error by the pitcher, pushing the margin to 3-0.

The pivotal moment came in the fifth inning. With two runners aboard, Dion turned on a pitch and launched a three-run home run down the right-field line, quickly stretching the lead to 6-0 and effectively putting the game out of reach. After a wild pitch advanced another runner, Sisson delivered again with an RBI single to center to cap the four-run frame and make it 7-0.

That offensive support was more than enough for Lynch, who turned in a dominant start. The right-hander allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings, walking three and striking out five on 91 pitches. He kept Milligan off balance throughout, stranding runners and benefitting from a clean defensive effort behind him as Reinhardt played error-free baseball.

Riley Gaskings and Dawson Radik came in to pitch the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Gaskins worked himself out of a bases-loaded situation, getting a strikeout in the final out.

Reinhardt finished with nine hits, including four doubles and Dion's home run, while leaving six runners on base. Chamlee added a 2-for-4 day with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI, and Sisson went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to round out a productive middle of the order. Milligan managed four hits and drew five walks but could not cash in, leaving eight runners on base and coming up empty in several scoring chances.

Milligan starter Jonah Ward took the loss after allowing six runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings with two walks and four strikeouts. Reinhardt's pitching staff combined for 136 pitches and 86 strikes over nine shutout innings, closing out the 7-0 final and giving the Eagles a solid home win built on power at the plate and efficiency on the mound.

The same two teams will meet on Saturday at Ken White Field for a doubleheader, which should be a great day for baseball in Waleska.  The Eagles will look to take the momentum from game one into Saturday's doubleheader and extend their current win streak of four games. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 pm.