In one of their most impressive showings of the season, the Rhodes College baseball team swept No. 9 Centre College in a three-game series to open Southern Athletic Association play. Across the weekend, the Lynx combined early offensive outbursts, dramatic late-inning heroics, and dominant pitching stretches to take down a nationally ranked opponent and set the tone for conference competition.
Game 1 Recap: Rhodes vs. No. 9 Centre College
In a high-intensity showdown filled with offensive fireworks and early momentum swings, the Rhodes College baseball team defeated No. 9 Centre by a final score of 15-10 on March 21, 2026, at Memphis, Tennessee. The contest featured a dominant early surge and timely hitting throughout the lineup, reflecting the Lynx's offensive firepower and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Key Performances
Corbin Martens led the charge for the Lynx at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, consistently delivering in key situations and helping Rhodes build its early lead. Marco Nunez added a strong performance, finishing 2-for-5 with a home run, a double, and two RBIs, sparking the offense from the designated hitter spot.
Myles Kruger contributed an all-around effort, tallying two hits, two RBIs, and drawing a walk, while Cooper Kuriger added two hits and two RBIs of his own to keep the pressure on Centre's pitching staff. Austin Smith was nearly perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a double, providing a steady presence at the bottom of the order.
On the mound, David Albert earned the win for Rhodes, tossing five innings while allowing four runs (three earned) and striking out two. The bullpen weathered a late push from Centre, combining to close out the victory despite the Colonels' rally attempts.
Game Highlights
Rhodes opened the game with a massive second inning, plating five runs highlighted by a three-run home run from Martens to seize early momentum. The Lynx continued to build on their lead in the third and exploded again in the fourth inning, scoring six runs to take a commanding 12-1 advantage.
Centre responded with a mid-game push, scoring in four straight innings to cut into the deficit, but Rhodes answered in the seventh with three more runs to extend the lead to 15-6. Despite a late rally from the Colonels, including multiple extra-base hits in the eighth and a home run in the ninth, the Lynx held firm to secure the 15-10 victory.
Game 2 Recap: Rhodes vs. No. 9 Centre College
In a high-intensity showdown filled with momentum swings and late-game heroics, the Rhodes College baseball team defeated No. 9 Centre by a final score of 9-8 on March 21, 2026, at Memphis, Tennessee. The contest featured a dramatic comeback and clutch ninth-inning finish, reflecting the Lynx's resilience and ability to deliver in pressure moments.
Key Performances
Freshman Sam Reardon led the offensive effort for the Lynx, delivering a massive performance at the plate with two home runs and five RBIs, including the game-winning blast in the bottom of the ninth. His power and timely hitting proved to be the difference in a tightly contested battle.
Brad Larson set the tone at the top of the lineup, going 3-for-4 and consistently putting pressure on Centre's defense. Jace Trozzo added a strong outing, finishing with two hits, including a home run, while Ben Daniel also contributed with a pair of hits and a solo homer during Rhodes' big fourth inning.
On the mound, Andrew Carron came up clutch in relief, earning the win after allowing just one run (unearned) over the final 2.1 innings. His composure down the stretch helped keep Rhodes within striking distance and set the stage for the late-game heroics.
Game Highlights
Centre struck first and built a 5-0 lead through four innings, capitalizing on timely hits and a two-run home run to seize early control. Rhodes answered in emphatic fashion in the bottom of the fourth, launching three home runs—including a three-run shot from Reardon—to tie the game at 5-5 and completely shift the momentum.
After Centre regained the lead with a two-run homer in the seventh, the Lynx once again responded, plating two runs of their own to even the score at 7-7. Centre edged ahead 8-7 in the eighth, setting up a dramatic final frame.
The deciding moment came in the bottom of the ninth, when Reardon delivered a two-run walk-off home run to seal the 9-8 victory and complete the comeback.
Game 3 Recap: Rhodes vs. No. 9 Centre College
In a high-intensity showdown highlighted by early offensive fireworks and dominant pitching, the Rhodes College baseball team defeated No. 9 Centre by a final score of 12-2 on March 22, 2026, at Memphis, Tennessee. The contest featured a quick response to an early deficit and sustained offensive pressure, reflecting the Lynx's resilience and complete-game execution.
Key Performances
Brad Larson led the offensive effort for the Lynx, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, and four runs scored, consistently setting the tone at the top of the lineup. Myles Kruger delivered a standout performance as well, finishing with two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs to help power the Rhodes attack.
Cooper Angilly turned in a strong all-around game, driving in three runs while reaching base multiple times, and Sam Reardon continued his hot streak with a home run and two RBIs. Brandon Trichell also contributed with two RBIs, helping extend key innings for the Lynx.
On the mound, Ben Daniel was dominant, earning the win after tossing six innings while allowing just two runs (none earned) and striking out eight. His command and efficiency kept Centre off balance throughout the game. Will May closed things out with two scoreless innings in relief to secure the victory.
Game Highlights
Centre jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Rhodes responded immediately with a four-run bottom half, highlighted by a two-run home run from Kruger to seize control. The Lynx continued to build momentum in the second with a two-run homer from Larson, extending the lead to 6-2.
Rhodes added insurance runs in the third and fourth innings before breaking the game open in the eighth, plating four runs behind patient at-bats and timely hitting. The pitching staff took over from there, shutting down Centre over the final innings to preserve the 12-2 victory.
Up Next: Rhodes vs. Sewanee
With the sweep, Rhodes turns its attention to its upcoming conference matchup against the Sewanee Tigers. The Lynx will look to carry their momentum forward after an impressive stretch that includes a three-game sweep of No. 9 Centre and a marquee win over No. 8 Belhaven earlier in the week. Riding a wave of offensive production and strong pitching performances, the Lynx aim to continue their hot start to SAA play as it faces a Sewanee squad in a key early-season conference test.
