Grays Survive Aces Comeback to Win on the Road

The Grays were able to keep the Alexandria Aces' comeback at bay and hold on to win 9-7 in Alexandria.

This game started with a first inning of no score for either team, however the Grays wouldn't let it stay that way long.

The Grays struck first in the second inning off a single from recent NCAA Division III National Champion Jackson Loomis (Denison) to score Aaron Rowell (Pensacola State). They added to this early lead on a single from Joey Chitla (William & Mary), scoring Ryan Stoddard (Lafayette).

The third inning was another success for the Grays' offense, as they tacked on another run via a Freeman Hunt (Dickinson) single to score Aaron Rowell (Pensacola State) to go up 3-0.

Neither offense would score any runs in the next few innings and the Grays would enter the 6th inning maintaining their 3-0 lead. Pitchers Austin Keefer (Georgian Court) and Caden Brown (Southern) were a large factor in this defensive performance to this point, only allowing a single hit combined between the both of them in the first 4 innings and Keefer (Georgian Court) delivering 2 strikeouts.

The 6th inning was the best inning offensively the Grays have had this season yet with them scoring 6 runs in the frame. Evan Wilson (Richmond) was the one to get the avalanche started, scoring a run off an error by the Aces at 2nd base.

Joey Chitla (William & Mary) and Jackson Stallworth (Pensacola) were next on the board, both scoring off another error at 2nd base. The Grays would keep capitalizing off defensive mistakes from the Aces, with Xavier Bradley (Southern) scoring a run off a wild pitch.

Ryan Stoddard (Lafayette) and Evan Rosario (Shepherd) then proceeded to both score runs off separate passed balls, ending off the Grays' most productive inning yet on offense. The Aces offense responded immediately, scoring their first 3 runs to end the 6th inning at 9-3.

The Aces would build of their 6th inning, scoring 2 runs in the 7th and another 2 in the 8th to bring the score to 9-7 with pressure mounting on the Grays.

The Grays wouldn't succumb to this pressure, with Jackson Stallworth (Pensacola) pitching a scoreless 9th inning to secure the road win for the Grays.

Joey Chitla (William & Mary) led the way offensively for the Grays, going 2-5 from the plate, scoring a run, and driving in a RBI. Jackson Loomis (Denison) would also impress, batting 2-4 and driving in a RBI.

The Grays play 6/7 and look to start a win streak against the Southern Maryland Senators at North Point High School.

(Photo courtesy of Alex Ouzts)