LYNCHBURG, Va. – The University of Lynchburg baseball team dropped the opening game of its NCAA Division III Super Regional series Friday afternoon, falling to East Texas Baptist 8-2 in rainy conditions at Worthington Field.
The Hornets struck first after a scoreless opening two innings. Brandon Garcia delivered a two-out single in the third before Benton Jones followed with an RBI double to right field, giving Lynchburg a 1-0 lead.
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Lynchburg starter Tyler Kaltreider kept East Texas Baptist scoreless through four innings despite early traffic on the bases. The Tigers broke through in the fifth after two singles and a Hornets error loaded the bases. Carter Nannini then cleared the bases with a three-run double to left-center field to put East Texas Baptist ahead 3-1.
The Hornets answered in the sixth inning when Jack Pokorak blasted a solo home run to center field to trim the deficit to 3-2. Sean Pokorak later doubled and Kyle Flora drew a walk, but Lynchburg was unable to capitalize further.
East Texas Baptist pulled away in the seventh inning. Jobee Boone drove in a run with a single before Brody Tewers added a two-run double to extend the Tigers’ lead to 6-2. The Tigers added two more runs in the eighth on Connor Massimini’s two-run homer.
Lynchburg finished with seven hits and drew five walks. Garcia led the Hornets with two hits and a run scored, while Jones added a double and RBI. Jack Pokorak accounted for Lynchburg’s lone home run, and Sean Pokorak also doubled.
Kaltreider struck out 12 batters over 6 2/3 innings while allowing six runs, five earned. Trent Judd, Austin Riney and Davis Watson each appeared in relief for the Hornets.
With the loss, Lynchburg trails in the best-of-three Super Regional series and will look to stay alive in Game 2 on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Worthington Field.