GROTTES, Va. — Game One: In a back-and-forth contest that featured 21 total runs, 21 hits, and several lead changes, William Peace University's late-inning battle came up just short as they fell to Mary Baldwin University, 11–10, in the final inning.
The Pacers (6-17) put together an impressive offensive showing, led by designated hitter Griffin Sandstrum, who went 2-for-4 with five RBIs, including a 3-run double in the sixth to cap a five-run inning. Third baseman Gavin Turner also went deep in the first with a 2-run homer, finishing the day 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a walk.
Despite falling 7–2 after two innings, the Pacers chipped away, eventually tying the game 9–9 in the sixth and taking a brief lead in the eighth after an RBI single from Leland Barrow.
Catcher Nick Tubolino contributed a 3-hit, 1-RBI performance, while Barrow drove in two runs and added a key double.
On the mound, it was a committee effort for the Pacers. After starter Ryan Manning allowed five earned runs in just one inning, relievers Jake Sasse and JJ Dobson helped bring the Pacers back. Dobson tossed four strong innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three.
The game came down to the final frame, where Mary Baldwin (2-17) got a walk and a pinch-hit single to set up Isaiah Brooks' game-winning 2-RBI double, sealing the 11–10 walk-off win.
Game Two: The Pacers closed out the doubleheader with an 8–4 bounce-back win, using timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and solid pitching to secure the split and improve to 7-17 on the season.
Shortstop Jacob Herzberg put together a standout performance, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs, including two solo home runs, one in the fourth and another in the eighth. His leadoff double in the first set the tone early, and he came through in the clutch in the late innings.
After falling behind 2–0 in the first, Peace responded quickly with a three-run double from Caden French in the second inning to grab the lead, capitalizing on a Mary Baldwin error to load the bases.
The Pacers added single runs in the fourth, seventh, eighth, and two more in the ninth to pull away. French finished with three RBIs, while Griffin Sandstrum contributed a hit, an RBI, and a stolen base. Adam Joseph and Leland Barrow also added RBIs in the victory.
On the mound, starter Jarrett Hall (2-2) went 7.0 strong innings, allowing nine hits and three runs — all unearned — while striking out six. Hall kept Mary Baldwin off balance and worked through multiple high-pressure innings before turning it over to the bullpen. Walker Dixon and Ethan Mieldezis combined to close out the final six outs without surrendering the lead.
