CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Paul Hembekides delivered a dramatic two-run game-winning single to highlight Cedarville's non-conference doubleheader sweep of Davenport on Senior Day. The Yellow Jackets were 7-6 and 5-2 winners in the regular season finale.
The next stop for Cedarville, 25-25 overall, is the NCCAA Midwest Regional in Winona Lake, Ind. on May 14-15. The Yellow Jackets are the defending champions.
Cedarville had to rally twice to pull out the first-game. After the Jackets scored twice in the bottom of the 6th inning to forge a 5-5 deadlock, the Panthers pushed across an unearned run in the top of the 7th for a 6-5 lead.
Cedarville's leadoff hitter was retired to open its half of the 7th and then the hosts caught a huge break. Nate Davenport struck out swinging, but he reached first base when the third strike eluded the catcher on a wild pitch. Derek Graham walked and pinch hitter Brandon Young's sky pop dropped in short center to load the bases.
Davenport was forced at home on a fielder's choice for the second out bringing Hembekides to the plate. He lined an 0-1 pitch to center scoring Young and pinch runner Sam Rowe for the 7-6 win.
Hembekides finished 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI's, and two runs scored. Tyler Rost was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI's. Winning pitcher Clint Price went the distance to improve to 4-6. He struck out four and walked one. [GAME 1 BOXSCORE]
The Yellow Jackets never trailed in the second contest in posting a 5-2 victory. Rob Nesteroff stroked an RBI single in the opening frame and Chris Ward hammered a solo home run over the 402 marker in center field in the 2nd inning.
Hembekides walked with the bases loaded in the 3rd and completed his day with a sacrifice fly in the 5th. Ward contributed an RBI double to account for the scoring.
David Convertini, Nesteroff, Rost, and Ward had two hits each. Nesteroff was credited with his first collegiate pitching victory while Matthew Willett fanned two and allowed just one hit in relief for his team-leading third save of the season. Davenport ends the year at 21-28. [GAME 2 BOXSCORE]
