Vargas Homer Puts the Game Away for the Eagles

Waleska, GA - Reinhardt Baseball made a strong comeback in a game that appeared out of reach by the third inning.  The Eagles went down 8-2 early in the game but fought their way back to win big, 17-12, in a game that saw thirteen total pitchers enter the game. Brewton Parker had seven pitchers reach the mound, and the Eagles had six pitchers see some action.

It was an unusual game for the Eagles as their offense would not come alive until the fifth inning behind the bat of Jacob Mantooth.  Mantooth hit a three-run homer to bring the Eagles back to within four runs. The Barons struck early and seemed to put the game out of reach, going up 10-3 before Mantooth's three-run homer against his former team.  Louis Dion singled in the fifth as well to score a run for the Eagles.

Reinhardt's offense opened up after the fifth inning as the team would score three runs in the sixth, three in the seventh, and four runs in the bottom of the eighth.  Barry Eiseman's double in the sixth started the rally that eventually scored three runs.  Adrian Vargas hit a three-run homer in the seventh - which was the eventual game-winner - but the Eagles tacked on four more security runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The pitching issues that were plaguing the Eagles in the first few innings switched over to the Barons at the end of the game and they could not catch up to the lead the Eagles put on the board.  Eiseman led the way for the Eagles hitting 4 for 6 with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored.  Mantooth had 3 RBIs and Vargas had 4 RBIs to match Eiseman.

There were a few bright spots pitching for the Eagles.  Brent Turley pitched in the sixth and seventh innings for the Eagles, striking out four batters, and he did not allow a hit or run.  Brett Allen came in to finish out the game for the Eagles, pitching some of the eighth and all of the top of the ninth.  Allen did not allow a hit or run either in his time on the mound while striking out two batters.

It will not go down as one of the better games by the Eagles, but it shows that they can win in different styles and come back from a large deficit.  Looking ahead, the Eagles will head out to Kentucky Christian for a single game on Friday and then a doubleheader on Saturday.  The Eagles will return for a single home game next Tuesday against Point University.