CONWAY, Ark. - After not recording a victory against the Lynx on the diamond in over two years, Hendrix recorded two runs late in the sixth frame Friday thanks to a Rhodes throwing error that allowed the Warriors to take the eventual 3-2 lead. The Warriors defeated the Lynx 3-2 Friday night to stay atop the Southern Athletic Association standings and to obtain its first victory against Rhodes in 735 days. With the win, Hendrix is guaranteed to finish with a top-two seed in next week's SAA Championships, meaning playoff baseball will be played in Conway. Still with some work to do, Hendrix needs to win one more game Saturday to officially clinch the SAA regular season title. In the victory Friday,
Jack Hodgins picked up his fifth victory of the year while
Taylor Barker picked up his 11th save of the season; one shy of the all-time program record. With the win, Hendrix improves to 27-11 on the season including a 14-5 mark in SAA play while Rhodes drops to 22-16 on the year with a 11-8 mark in conference play.
HOW THE WARRIORS SCORED:
GAME 1
- 3rd -
Ford Sherrington walked, RBI;
Jorge Leon advanced to second;
Seth Tucker advanced to third;
Sean Dehne scored.
- 6th -
Andrei Stoyanow reached first on a throwing error by ss;
Ford Sherrington scored, unearned;
Tanner Cooper scored, unearned.
WARRIORS' DECISION(S) ON THE MOUND:
GAME 1
W -
Jack Hodgins (5-1); 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R/1 ER, 6 K/1 BB
S -
Taylor Barker (11); 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R/0 ER, 1 K/0 BB
NOTABLE:
GAME 1
- After a throwing error by Hodgins in the third inning, the Lynx took the lead before a bases loaded walk in the bottom half of the inning scored Dehne from third base.
- Rhodes obtained the lead in the fifth frame after an RBI single to right center but a throwing error by Rhodes in the sixth allowed two Hendrix runs to score as Hendrix hung on to win, 3-2.
- Six Warriors tallied one hit each against the Lynx in the victory.
- Hodgins struck out six Lynx while tossing just over eight innings of work Friday.
- With the leadoff runner reaching base in the ninth,
Rail Gilliam picked off the runner on first to give Hendrix all the momentum.
- Barker allowed a single but finished the game as he struck out the final batter for the big win.
- Barker picked up his 11th save of the season; one shy of the program's all-time record.
- Hendrix needs to win one game tomorrow to officially clinch the 2019 SAA regular season championship; can also clinch the title if Birmingham-Southern College loses one game tomorrow.
WHAT WAS SAID:
"This is what college baseball is all about," stated Head Coach
Sean McSheffery.
Jack Hodgins was unbelievable tonight. Every guy had a piece in this win. It was incredible having the kids from Arkansas Children's Hospital out at the game. They were an inspiration to us; unbelievable team win!"
WHO'S NEXT:
The Warriors gear up for its final scheduled doubleheader of the regular season. Hendrix battles the Lynx twice Saturday with a scheduled first pitch happening at 1 p.m. from Warrior Field. The 11 baseball seniors will be honored between games as well.
