Box Score

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Erich Enns' RBI single in the bottom of the ninth capped a four run comeback for Middlebury over visiting Skidmore 15-14 at Forbes Field on Wednesday. The Panthers built an early 9-1 lead only to see the Thoroughbreds charge back in the late innings, taking a 14-11 lead into the final frame. With the win, Middlebury improves to 9-11 on the year, while Skidmore drops to 13-13. Skidmore hosts Southern Vermont on Thursday.
             Middlebury scored three runs in each of the first three innings off Skidmore starter Zack Rudman, highlighted by a two RBI double by Donald McKillop in the second inning. Trailing 9-1 in the fourth, Rudman, who moved to the DH spot after the third inning, got a pair back, connecting on a two-run homer off Panther starter Scooter Scott.
             The Thoroughbreds added two more in the fifth, cutting the Middlebury lead to 10-9. Logan Arena's pinch hit, two RBI double to deep right center highlighted the comeback.
             In the eighth, Skidmore, with runners on second and third and no outs, took their first lead at 11-10 when Matt Pisani lined a double down the right field line for two RBI. Pisani's two-bagger chased Panther reliever Matt Joseph as Dirk vanDuym was called in to get out of the jam. With no outs and a runner on second, vanDuym quickly loaded the bases, but got out of the inning with a force out and home and a key 1-2-3 double play to end the Skidmore threat. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Thoroughbred reliever Ed Reilly enticed Nick Angstman into a two-out fielder's choice, but the ball was mishandled in the infield, allowing McKillop to score from third, knotting the game at 11.
             In the ninth, Skidmore again loaded the bases with no outs. Pisani walked in the first of three Skidmore runs. With one out and the bases still loaded, Rudman was hit by pitch, forcing in another run. Arena ended the scoring, plating Justin Morelli on an infield fielding error. The Thoroughbreds scored three runs, without a hit, for a 14-11 lead heading into the home half of the ninth.
             After a pair of walks to Pete Bourdon and Tim Dillon to start the inning, the Panthers sent the meat of their order to the plate against Reilly. Danny Seymour connected on a two RBI double to left center, plating Bourdon and Dillon. McKillop followed with a hard single up the middle, scoring Seymore and tying the game 14-14. With no outs, clean-up hitter Mark Shimrock doubled to right, pushing McKillop to third, setting up Enns' game-winning single to left field and the 15-14 comeback win.
              Rudman had a huge day for Skidmore, going 4/5 with the homer and five RBI as Pisani chipped in 3 RBI on a 2/3 day at the plate.