CARY, NC – The William Peace University baseball team snapped a seven-game skid Tuesday evening, holding on to beat Division II Virginia State University, 8-7.
 
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, Alex Scott delivered a two-out double that brought everyone home and put the Pacers ahead, 4-0. Virginia State took a 6-4 lead with six runs in what was a disastrous top of the sixth, but WPU tied things up in the bottom half of the inning and reclaimed the lead for good with two more in the seventh. 
 
Derek Beale was one of four Pacers (9-19) with multiple hits, as he went 3-for-4, scored twice and drove in a pair. Will Cunningham added two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Trey Hogan finished 2-for-2, walked and scored twice.  Mikey Anerton also collected two hits and scored on Cunningham's single up the middle in the fourth.
 
Braxton Lamm turned in his best career start as a Pacer but didn't factor into the decision. Lamm held the Trojans to only one hit in a scoreless five innings of work before being pulled for Kyle Vincent, who gave up a pair of home runs and all six runs (four earned) in the sixth.
 
Mike Sgroi (2-2) ended up with the win, allowing a run on two hits in 1.1 innings after he came in to get the final out in the sixth. Zach Geller threw a scoreless frame in the eight. Trevor Pence struck out two in a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the season.
 
Larry Stephens Jr. (0-6) was pinned with the loss, giving up two runs on two hits in 2.2 innings of work. Jordan Claytor surrendered the other six runs on nine hits in the previous two-and-two-thirds.
 
Jamison Griffin led Virginia State (2-19) at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Griffin hit a two-run homer in the sixth along with an RBI triple in the seventh. David Markins also hit a two-run dinger in the sixth.
 
The WPU baseball team is back at the USA Baseball National Training Complex this weekend for a three-game set against USA South opponent Averett University, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
 
For the latest news and updates from William Peace University Athletics, please visit: http://gopeacepacers.com/.