Over the weekend, Rhodes College Baseball hit the road to take on Centre College to begin SAA play. The Lynx ultimately fell to the Colonels in each game of the series.
Game 1
The game started slow for Rhodes, with the team struggling to find momentum against Centre's sharp pitching and defense.
The breakthrough came in the fourth inning when Cooper Kuriger stepped up to the plate. With Ben Daniel on base, Kuriger launched a powerful homer over the left field wall, electrifying the Rhodes dugout and tying the game at 2-2. It was a moment of hope and grit for the team, showcasing their resilience.
Ben Daniel also contributed at the plate with two solid doubles, but the rest of the lineup struggled to capitalize, scattering just three additional hits across the game. Defensively, Rhodes battled but was undone by a few costly errors that allowed Centre to pull away and get the 9-2 win.
Despite the loss, Kuriger's homer and Daniel's consistency shone brightly, reminding everyone of Rhodes' fighting spirit.
Game 2
In the second game of the doubleheader, Rhodes was determined to bounce back after their earlier defeat. Starting pitcher Reid Manti worked through early pressure but struggled to contain Centre's offense, which struck in the first inning with an RBI double,a solo homer in the third that extended Centre's lead, and two unearned runs in the fifth sealed the score at 4-0.
Rhodes' offense showed flashes of potential, with doubles from Corbin Kinder and Cooper Angilly, but they couldn't string hits together against Centre's ace. The Centre pitcher dominated the mound, throwing a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts and no walks.
Despite a late rally attempt in the ninth inning, Rhodes was unable to capitalize on their base runners. Defensive struggles also hurt their chances, as three errors added to the uphill battle.
Game 3
In the final game of the series, Rhodes battled hard, but ultimately fell short 10-22 to Centre, giving them the series sweep.
Rhodes started strong, taking an early lead in the first inning when Kisho Shima scored on Ben Burkhart's sacrifice fly. They extended their advantage in the third inning with a powerful offensive display—Quinn Blackman smashed a two-run homer to left field, followed by a two-run shot from Myles Kruger, giving Rhodes a commanding 5-0 lead.
Even as Centre stormed back with a massive seven-run third inning, Rhodes continued to fight. In the fifth, Cooper Angilly scored on a wild pitch, and Ben Daniel's RBI single brought in William Sams, trimming the deficit to 11-7. Later in the sixth inning, Angilly's patience at the plate resulted in a bases-loaded walk, adding another run to Rhodes' tally.
Rhodes showed resilience even in the final frame, as Collin Kimball-McCavish and Mick Arney each drew bases-loaded walks, pushing the score to 22-10. Quinn Blackman and Myles Kruger stood out offensively with key home runs, while William Sams contributed with a double.
Despite their determination, Rhodes was unable to contain Centre's overwhelming offense. The game showcased their ability to generate early runs and maintain a fighting spirit throughout, setting a foundation to build on for future games.
The Lynx record now moves to 12-5 on the season, and 0-3 in conference play. They will travel to Florida over the break to compete in four non-conference matchups, first taking on Roger Williams University at 9:30 AM on March 11.
