Royals Take Doubleheader Day; Eagles Slide Back in AAC

Knoxville, TN - One day after holding the top in the Appalachian Athletic Conference standings, the Eagles moved back a couple of spots by losing the doubleheader with Johnson University.  Game one went to the Royals, 6-4, in a tight nine-inning matchup.  Game two was just as tight as the first two, and the Royals edged out Reinhardt 5-4 to take the series.

Game One

In the first game of their doubleheader on Saturday, the Eagles faced a tough loss against the Johnson Royals. Despite a valiant effort, the Eagles couldn't secure a victory in this pivotal conference game. The Eagles' Robert Phelps, Louis Dion, Ethan Moore, and Nash Crowell each contributed by scoring runs, keeping the game competitive until the last inning.

Jacob Mantooth had an outstanding performance, hitting a home run in the fifth inning and driving in two runs, while Nash Crowell added excitement in the ninth with a double and an RBI. Starting pitcher Tate Dearing took the mound for Reinhardt, striving to contain the Royals' hitters throughout the game. Johnson was able to score 3 runs in the third inning and the Eagles matched that by scoring one in the fifth and two in the sixth.  The Eighth inning ended up being the difference in the game when the Royals' Cade Liefer hit a three-run homer giving them a 6-3 lead.  Reinhardt could only get one run in the top of the ninth.

Tate Dearing started for the Eagles and finished with three strikeouts in his four innings of work. Logan Lynch relieved Dearing in the fifth inning and he was able to strikeout five Royals, but unfortunately, gave up the three-run homer in the eighth that gave the Royals the win.

Reinhardt (GA)Pitchers

Game Two

Reinhard showed commendable performances despite the loss. Jacob Mantooth notably scored twice, contributing significantly with his resilience and strong on-base percentage. Nash Crowell and Miguel Salazar also added to the score tally, with Salazar not only scoring but contributing with an RBI. Luca Boscarino stood out with a double that drove in two runs during the crucial 5th inning, momentarily boosting the Eagles' chance to regain control.

Starting pitcher Adam Christopher took the mound for Reinhardt, facing the tough Royals lineup. He pitched  4.1 innings striking out five batters, but Johnson was able to get four runs against him.  Johnson scored two runs in the second and then scored two more in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 4 all.  Reinhardt did have a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth, but Johnson tied things up in the bottom of the inning.  

Hunter Paulsen came in for relief of Christopher in the bottom of the fifth and pitched the remainder of the game.  He recorded two strikeouts and three hits aginst him.

Reinhardt (GA)Pitchers

Johnson was able to break the series 1-1 tie in the bottom of the ninth on a sac fly that scored a run.

The series that looked promising after the superb pitching performance by Andrew Herbert on Friday, which lifted the Eagles to first place in the AAC standings, but things can change rapidly.  The two narrow defeats in the  doubleheader dropped the Eagles back to third place behind Johnson (1) and Tennessee Wesleyan (2), however, the leads are very narrow.  There is plenty of season left for Reinhardt to catch up once again to move into the top spot, but they will need  Johnson and Tennessee Wesleyan to stuble along the way.

Next up for the Eagles is a match up against the tough, highly ranked Georgia Gwinnett College Grizzlies, who are always a competitive matchup. The game is set for Tuesday afternoon in Gwinnett County. Reinhardt was able twin the game between the two a few weeks ago, but the Grizzles will be looking to take the game at their place. The Eagles currently hold a strong season record of 29-7 and 15-6 in conference play.