Reinhardt Runs Away With Season Opener Over Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), 11-1

Reinhardt Runs Away With Season Opener Over Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), 11-1
Box Score

Team Stats

February 1, 2020

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com

WALESKA, Ga. – The second year under head coach Jonathan Burton got started with a bang on Saturday afternoon, as the Eagles exploded for eight runs in the fourth en route to a seven-inning victory over Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), 11-1, at newly renovated Ken White Baseball Field.

The Eagles hit .385 on 10 hits as a club and earned an on-base percentage of 60 percent en route to a 1-0 record.

"It's always good to win game one regardless of how you do it," Burton said. "Today, we took advantage of some mistakes to help lengthen our lead early, which was the difference in the game. Very proud of our team's effort and emotion today. It was a nice atmosphere to be in; now the challenge is coming back and repeating that effort since there are no more opening days this season."

Preseason NAIA All-American Andres Ugarte brought in the first run of the season on a single to shallow right field in the bottom of the opening frame, but then the Blue Raiders tied the game in the second on an Ugarte wild throw.

About everything that can happen to a defense occurred in the bottom of the fourth for Lindsey Wilson, as the visitors allowed the score to balloon to 9-1 while surrendering just one hit and one error. Reinhardt saw hit-by-pitches, stolen bases, pitching changes and an abundance of walks as the contest got out of hand.

Albert Mora had an RBI-single in the fifth – bringing home Keven Jimenez – who would also end the game with another run scored in the bottom of the seventh after leading off with a single.

The Eagles would then record a walk, single and another base-on-balls by M.J. Arnold to end the day.

Mora (2 RBIs), Ugarte (2 RBIs, 2 walks) and Jimenez all notched a pair of hits in the victory. 

Not to be outdone, Ben Heideman also had a pair of RBIs, while Nick Sanders also walked three times, out of 11 total, and scored twice.

Daniel Dolensky (zero earned runs) got the win from the mound with six innings of work and a half-dozen strikeouts on just five hits.

The teams are back at it tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

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