WILMORE, Ky. – The Berea College baseball team scored eight runs in the final four innings but ultimately fell 10-8 in their rematch against the Asbury University Eagles on Tuesday evening.
 
The loss drops the Mountaineers to 8-24 overall for the year.

The Mountaineers recorded 12 hits, of which five players had at least two hits. Seven of Berea's 12 hits were for extra bases, including two home runs from sophomores Zion Clay and Fredison Rivera.

The beginning of the game belonged to the Eagles as they outscored the Mountaineers 5-0 in the first five innings. Berea found momentum in the top of the sixth inning, scoring four runs to make it a one-run affair. The big inning began on back-to-back singles to start the sixth as sophomore AJ Wylie knocked a single to left field and freshman Giovanny Ortiz hit his single done the left field line to put two runners on base with zero outs.

Following a popup out to the Eagles' second basemen, sophomore Jayden Junta hit an RBI double to center field to bring Wylie home for Berea's first run of the game. Following Junta's at-bat, Clay stepped to the dish and answered with a home run to right center field as his three-run shot brought the Mountaineers back into the contest 5-4.

Asbury managed to expand their lead as they tacked on a run in the bottom of the sixth inning and three more in the bottom of the seventh to take a 9-5 advantage going into the eighth inning. Just like the sixth inning, Berea once again made the contest a one-run game with three runs in the top of the eighth.

After a popup out to the shortstop, Junta hit a single up the middle. Clay followed with a double to left field to put runners on second and third. Soon after, Junta crossed home plate on a wild pitch as Berea trailed 9-6. Rivera added two additional runs with a two-run home run to right field and the Mountaineers trailed 9-8 going into the bottom of the eighth.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Mountaineers were able to get two quick outs through the Eagles' first three batters, however, Asbury was able to add a crucial insurance run with a home run through left field to take a 10-8 lead.

Entering the top of the ninth inning, Berea found themselves with two quick outs as the Mountaineers' first two grounded and stuck out. Sophomore Ricardo Serra checked in as a pinch hitter and knocked a double in left field to keep the game alive. Sophomore Derek Hay replaced Serra as a pinch runner and sophomore Michael Vazquez brought Hay home with an RBI double to right field as Berea trailed 10-9 with two outs. Not wanting to face Junta, the Eagles intentionally walked the first basemen, putting Clay to the plate. Unfortunately, Clay couldn't make solid contact with the ball, popping it up to the shortstop for the final out as Berea's rally fell just short 10-9.

After a little over a week break, the Berea College baseball team will return to the diamond on Wednesday, April 19th against Alice Lloyd College. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Berea College Athletic Complex.