Roanoke College Baseball has gotten off to an incredible 13 win 3 loss start this season, and they have even received some top 25 buzz. In their conference, they have put up a respectable 4.3 record in the gritty, difficult ODAC conference. Recently ‘Noke has been lighting up the scoreboard with runs, averaging nine in their last five games and almost six in their most recent 12. Following a painful, narrow 3-5 defeat at the hands of the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets, Roanoke bounced back winning 19-12 against a struggling North Carolina Wesleyan side.
North Carolina Wesleyan Roanoke started slow, scoring only one run in the first three innings before an onslaught later on. With the score tied at one, Roanoke dominated the top of the fourth inning putting up an impressive three runs before conceding four runs to North Carolina Wesleyan in the bottom of the inning. Roanoke would then take the lead in the fifth inning and never look back, scoring in every inning to end the game and building a 19-5 lead entering the bottom of the ninth. Although North Carolina Wesleyan put up a respectable comeback attempt at the bottom of the ninth, the Maroons were able to comfortably come out on top.
The following games were crucial ones for the Roanoke season as they faced off against Eastern Mennonite University in a senior day double header back at home in sunny Salem, Virginia. EMU had been a respectable side for most of the season, but Roanoke was able to escape with the victory in both games. In game one, Roanoke scored seven runs in the 5th inning to build a nine-zip lead and they would hold on to win. Jorden Olivera and Noah Donaho would post three hits each, and Roanoke would win the game by a final score of 11-2. In game two against EMU, Roanoke would cruise to another victory on the heels of six combined runs from Jorden Olivera and Liam Murphy. In this game, Roanoke dominated from the jump, and would seal a 12-4 victory marking their third straight.
Unfortunately, the Maroons suffered a defeat in their most recent matchup coming at the hands of Averett University. The game was a close one, but Roanoke lost 8-6 in the conference matchup.
‘Noke looks to rebound in the next few weeks with an exciting upcoming schedule, but their young season has already shown plenty of promise.
Ruben Krishna
Staff Reporter
