Offense Comes Alive as Jonathan Burton Gets 400th Win in Sweep
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
WALESKA, Ga. – A walk-off single up the middle by Devin Symlar helped the Eagles gain momentum and finish a split doubleheader with a sweep over Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), 5-4, and then in the nightcap against Rio Grande (Ohio), 12-2, in seven innings at Ken White Baseball Field Saturday night.
Not only did Symlar's hit help push the Eagles towards 7-3 overall, but it also earned head coach Jonathan Burton his 400th win of his coaching career after beating the Tigers (No. 401 followed the victory over the RedStorm).
"Our kids are battling, and all the battling finally paid off in game two," Burton said. "It's not always the prettiest ways to win, but winning close games early should help our players know that even though we aren't at our best right now, this team is finding other ways to win baseball games… Very proud of them. These are good kids; we just have to keep working.
"As far as winning 400 as a head coach, I can't thank every player enough. This is a team celebration, not an individual celebration. Players certainly win these games, and I just hope to be a small part of their success while helping put them in situations that each one of them can succeed in."
Game 1 vs. Olivet Nazarene (W, 5-4)
- The Eagles scored three tallies in the first four innings, but the Tigers got a combined four runs in the sixth and seventh frames to take their first lead, 4-3, on a 2-RBI double to right-center.
- Olivet Nazarene would labor on the mound in the bottom of the eighth but only surrender one run – an RBI-single from Albert Mora – before getting a force out at third to end the damage.
- The Tigers were in prime position to retake the advantage in the top of the ninth thanks to three walks in-a-row to load the bases. Keven Jimenez then made what could have been the play of the day on a 4-6 double play to keep the score tied at 4-4.
- Three hit-by-pitches set the stage for a dramatic finish, and Devin Symlar sent his team into a frenzy after hitting it back up the middle to win game one.
- Symlar was 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs.
Game 2 vs. Rio Grande (W, 12-2)
- The six-game winning streak was complete early on Saturday night against the RedStorm, as the Eagles notched 11 runs in the first two frames (seven in the opening stanza) to soar away from Rio Grande.
- A pair of throwing errors aided the hometown club in the first inning as the visitors couldn't make the right decision on the defensive end. The second stanza didn't fair much better for the RedStorm as they allowed two homers (Nick Sanders and Albert Mora (2-run shot)).
- Not only was Rio Grande struggling on the defensive end all night, but Ethan Foley was dealing on the mound for Reinhardt as he went the full seven innings with nine strikeouts.
- Three players had multiple RBIs in the win, and the Eagles were also active on the basepath with a trio of stolen bags.
- The team had nine hits, led by Sanders and Mora with two apiece.
The series with Rio Grande wraps up tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader beginning at Noon.
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