LEXINGTON, Va. — Senior pitcher Cory Smith (Roanoke, Va./Hidden Valley) tied the W&L career saves record, as the Washington and Lee baseball team defeated Eastern Mennonite on Wednesday night, 2-1, at Cap'n Dick Smith Field.

The Generals (7-13, 5-11 ODAC) held a one-run lead (2-1) entering the top of the ninth inning. The Royals' (12-13, 6-8 ODAC) senior shortstop Justin Rodriguez (Miramar, Fla./Monsignor Edward Pace) led off the frame with a single up the middle. Senior Brandon Carroll (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) pinch ran for Rodriguez, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior catcher Kyle Salladay (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield).

After Smith struck out sophomore left fielder Kyle Mathews (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge), Carroll moved to third on a passed ball. On a full count, Smith struck out junior first baseman Nic Love (Bedford, Va./Staunton River) to secure the victory for W&L. It marked the third save of the season for Smith and the ninth of his career. He moved into a tie for first in career saves at W&L with Jim Plantholt '10.

Sophomore Tom Concklin (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) recorded the victory for the Generals to improve to 3-3. He pitched 5.0 innings, giving up just one run on four hits and two walks. Junior Kyle Tipping (Green Lane, Pa./The Hill School) threw 3.0 innings of scoreless relief.

Sophomore Jake Brown (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) suffered the loss for EMU. He allowed two runs on nine hits.

The Generals scored the first two runs of the game in the opening inning. Junior center fielder Luke Myer (Durham, N.C./Durham Academy) led off with a single to left field. Senior left fielder Drew Weprinsky (Atlanta, Ga./Westminster) and sophomore right fielder Matt Wasson (Merion Station, Pa./Lower Merion) followed with back-to-back bunt singles down the third base line.

After an infield fly to short, senior shortstop Taylor Rowe (Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park) hit a sacrifice fly to center to give W&L a 1-0 lead. With two outs, sophomore catcher Cory Paton (Ashton, Md./St. Johns College) singled up the middle to push the advantage to 2-0. The Royals scored their only run of the game on a RBI single by Nic Love in the fifth inning.

The game was moved up to a 3:30 pm start, but a three and a half hour rain delay pushed the start of the game to 7:00 pm. The win also ended an eight-game losing streak for W&L.

The Generals return to action on Thursday, when they host Lynchburg for a 4:00 pm contest.

-- www.generalssports.com --