Reinhardt Loses Late Lead as Season Wraps Up

Reinhardt Loses Late Lead as Season Wraps Up
Box Score

Team Stats

May 19, 2021

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Cumberlands (Ky.) Sports Information 

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – The Eagles couldn't have asked for a better start to yet another elimination game in the NAIA Baseball Opening Round on Wednesday – five runs in the first inning – but LSU-Shreveport (La.) methodically got itself back in the game before exploding late in a 15-6 win.

The Pilots ended the Reinhardt campaign at 34-21, and they did so with more of the long ball and a consistent approach at the plate with 16 hits to go with 15 tallies.

"As we close this season, I just want to tell these guys thank you for their hard work and dedication," head coach Jonathan Burton said. "We had quite the season, it was filled with ups and downs, but we found a way to finish on a positive note. The score doesn't indicate how close the game was today, but the end result still ends with a loss.

"These young players got some valuable time that should help us tremendously for fall practice and the spring season. We are close, we just need a few pieces to help bring it all together. It's always disappointing to end a season, but I look forward to what we are building. We are headed in the right direction and I can't wait to see what's in store for 2022."

The hometown club got on the board early and often in the top of the first without getting much in the way of offense, as the Eagles got two hit-by-pitches, a walk and a dropped fly ball en route to their first run. A crazy end to the frame saw wild pitches, errors and bunts all turn into tallies as the visitors found themselves ahead, 5-0, heading to the bottom of the first.

LSU-Shreveport's bats got loud once again in the second game against Reinhardt in this Opening Round, as it hit a solo shot in the first and a 2-run bomb in the second to get within 5-3.

Andres Ugarte doubled to deep right-center for another three-tally lead at 6-3 in the fifth, but the Pilots came right back with another RBI to make it 6-4 heading to the sixth.

The two seed came back and eventually tied the score at 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh, but a miscommunication on defense proved costly with two outs – and instead of heading to the eighth to bat – the Eagles surrendered two more runs.

The flood gates would open in the bottom of the eighth with seven more tallies for the Pilots as they ran away in the end.

Ugarte brought in two runs to lead the offense.

Ethan Foley was tabbed with the loss in relief after five innings of work and three strikeouts.

Some time to reflect will now take place as the team turns the page on 2021 in hopes of making more strides in the NAIA postseason next year.

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