VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Hilbert College Baseball took on Regent University this morning as the Hawks rounded out play down south. Hilbert took a late lead after
Andrew Johnson's strong outing quieted the offense of the Royals for much of the contest, but a four-run ninth led to a 5-4 walk-off victory for the hosts.
Regent manufactured the game's first run in the opening frame, using a two‑out RBI single from Maddox German after a wild pitch moved the runner into scoring position. Johnson settled immediately and put up six straight zeros, scattering eight hits with six strikeouts and just one walk through seven.
The Hawks broke through in the sixth. After
David Earsing reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second,
Patrick Evans produced a two-out RBI sinfle to level the score at 1–1. Johnson handed the ball to the bullpen after seven quality frames, and
Ronald Mort posted a scoreless eighth to hold the tie and send the game to an eventful ninth.
Hilbert's offense erupted in the final frame. Evans led off with a single and, after a pitching change,
Reed Lesmeister followed with a single before giving way to pinch‑runner
Billy LoBello, who promptly stole second. A hit‑by‑pitch to
Joey Haynes a walk by
Garrett Brink loaded the bases, before
Dustin Hendrix walked to give Hilbert the lead.
Alex Ellison added a sacrifice fly for a third run. And
Chase Porter roped a two‑strike RBI single to push the advantage to 4–1 heading into the home half of the frame.
The Royals had a final answer however. Two singles and a walk set the table, and after a strikeout, a pair of wild pitches tightened the margin. Jordan Hunt's RBI single and a bases‑loaded walk to Jayden Alvarez pulled Regent within one. A fielder's‑choice grounder by German plated the tying run, and Dylan Oblepias delivered the walk‑off single to right to complete the four‑run inning.
Evans paced Hilbert with two hits and an RBI, while Porter added two hits and a run‑scoring knock in the ninth. Ellison contributed a sacrifice fly, and LoBello's added a key stolen base and a run. Earsing and Haynes also swiped bags as the Hawks finished with six hits. Johnson's seven‑inning gem (1 ER, 6 K) anchored the day on the mound.
UP NEXT:
The Hawks will return to New York to take on Houghton on Tuesday.
