Reinhardt University announces Ninth Inning Troubles Spell Defeat for Eagles in Opening Day

From February 04, 2023 post.

Waleska, GA - Despite the cold start, the weather proved to be a fairly nice day for opening day for the Eagles. The team had New Hope Little League walk out with the players for the National Anthem and Reinhardt's own, Cabot Howell, was honored by throwing out the first pitch.

The game was a really good game for the Eagles most of the way, but some pitching and defensive troubles in the top of the ninth ended up being what would give the Eagles the loss on opening day. Georgetown pulled out the late-inning heroics winning 13-7. 

The Tigers of Georgetown jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a long homer to left, however, the Eagles came right back in the bottom of the second when left-fielder Dylan Lewis hit a two-run homer to left as well. The home run scored Richard Castro.

The Eagles had trouble keeping leads in the game. Every time the Eagles would get a small lead, Georgetown would come right back to either tie or take another slim lead. Third baseman, Jarrett Burney, would homer in the fourth inning scoring Lance Dockery and this gave the Eagles a 4-3 lead in the seventh. Later in the inning, Dawson Johns drew a walk with the bases loaded which brought in Jacob Profit giving the Eagles a 5-3 lead.

Everything seemed to be on the Eagles' side at this point in the game, but in the top of the eighth - the Tigers would come back to tie the game and eventually take another slim 6-5 lead. 

The Eagles had a very nice bottom of the eighth inning, which had the fans at Ken White Field believing it was the Eagles' night for Opening Day. With Jarrett Burney on second base, Jacob Profit got a hit to left field which scored Burney. Zach Rabe came up next to single to right field which scored the speed Jacob Profit at a close play at home plate. Although, the lead was slim at 7-6 - there was a feeling at the stadium that the moment was on the Eagles' side to finish out the game. 

The Eagles brought in closer, Blake Rogers, to finish things out for the Eagles. Although he was pitching hitting the radar at 90 and 91 MPH, the Tigers were able to make contact. The floodgates opened up for Georgetown in the top of the ninth and basically put the game out of reach. The Tigers scored seven runs in the top of the ninth bringing the score to 13-7 Georgetown and that is how the game would end.

Ethan Foley would get the start for the Eagles in game one of this series where he was able to go five innings before being pulled. He had 8 strikeouts and gave up 2 home runs. Parker Miller probably had the best day on the mound for the Eagles going three innings and striking out 2 batters. Jarrett Burney had a nice game at the plate hitting 2 for 4 for the Eagles and the home run that scored 2 runs.

The Eagles will be back at it Sunday afternoon for a doubleheader with Georgetown starting at noon.

Original source can be found here.