WATERLOO, Ont. - Despite seeing their seven-run lead whittled down, the Golden Hawks' baseball team held off the Western Mustangs for an 8-7 victory on Sunday for their first regular season win in their home opening double-header at Bechtel Park.

Western got on the board in the first inning after an error scored one run.

Laurier erased that deficit and took the lead in the bottom half after Lucas Bateman singled down the right field line, Jack Larmer grounded into a fielder's choice, Evan Burns singled down the left field line, and Laurier capitalized by scoring on a wild pitch, each bringing a run across the plate.

With Davis Llewellyn doubling to start the second inning, a follow-up two-bagger by Larmer helped Laurier extend their early lead.

Things got dicey in the second half of the game as Western scored four times in the top of the fifth inning and once in each of the sixth and seventh innings before Jack Yendall locked things down with the save.

Starting pitcher Noah Young earned the win for the Golden Hawks, surrendering seven hits and six runs (four earned) over five and one-third innings, striking out one and walking three.

Matthew Lawrence took the loss for Western Mustangs after going two innings, allowing eight runs on six hits, striking out one and walking two.

Jack Symington had two hits while Bateman, Larmer, and Llewellyn each drove in two runs for Laurier. 


GAME 2

Despite staying hot at the plate, collecting four hits in five at bats, Laurier dropped the second game of the day to Western 14-13.

The fifth-year arts major from Hamilton, Ont. doubled in the eighth inning, singled in the third inning, singled in the fifth inning, and singled in the seventh inning - which majorly contributed to Laurier's 12 hits in the high-scoring affair.

Western opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to a pair of RBI singles.

Laurier quickly tied the game in the bottom of the first thanks to an RBI single by Symington and a fielder's choice on a double-play ball by Llewellyn.

In the top of the third, Western went back out front when Ewan Ferguson hit a two-run home run over the left field fence. A fielder's choice later in the inning extended the lead to 5-2.

Laurier tied the game again in the bottom of the third thanks to an RBI double by Symington, an RBI single by Llewellyn, and a sacrifice fly by Bateman.

Western went ahead again in the top of the fourth with Ferguson hitting his second two-run homer of the day, to give the Mustangs a 7-5 advantage.

The Golden Hawks clawed their way back in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an RBI single by Nolan Goranson and a sacrifice fly by Larmer.

Western took the lead for good in the top of the eighth inning after Sillett singled to center field, Justin Hawke singled to left field, Brown walked, Adam Awrey walked, and Ryan Nuerenberger grounded into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run.

Despite getting four runs back in the home half of the inning, the Golden Hawks came up just short.

Symington took the loss on the mound for Laurier. The reliever went one and one-third innings, surrendering three runs on two hits, striking out one and walking one.

Starting pitcher Jordan Miller allowed 10 hits and seven runs (six earned) over four innings, striking out one and walking two. 

Aside from their run total, the Golden Hawks ran wild on the base paths, amassing five stolen bases for the game.

Sitting at 1-3 on the young season in conference play, Laurier will play exhibition games against Fanshawe (Tuesday) and Waterloo (Wednesday) before hosting an extended home stand at Bechtel Park.

Laurier will take on the McMaster Marauders on Saturday, September 13 (12 pm & 3 pm) and the Guelph Gryphons on Sunday, September 14 (12 pm & 3 pm).

Admission to all games is free.