MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Chicago baseball team utilized an eight-run fifth inning to defeat Alma College 9-8 on Sunday.

The Maroons evened their record at 2-2 and the Scots dropped to 2-6.

Through three innings, Alma was in control and sporting a 4-0 lead. But the tide turned definitively in the bottom of the fifth. The first eight Maroons reached base as they poured on eight runs in the frame.

First-year Josh Peyton knocked an RBI double down the left field line to start the onslaught. Then with the bases loaded, senior Brett Riegler and sophomore Max Chou were both hit by pitches to force in runs. After a pitching change, sophomore Will Benner singled in two, followed by an RBI double courtesy of senior Carson Weekley. First-year Richard Lu closed out the rally with a two-run double to right center.

UChicago added some insurance in the sixth when sophomore Noah Nelson doubled and then scored on a grounder to make it 9-4. That extra run proved the difference in the final result. The Scots put up two in the seventh and two in the eighth to pull within one.

In the ninth inning, Alma had the tying run on second base with one out. On a flyout to right field, the runner tried to advance to third, but Lu's throw gunned him down for the game-ending double play.

The Maroons totaled 12 hits and committed four errors. Nelson batted 3-for-5 with a stolen base. Lu went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Peyton hit 2-for-4 with one RBI and one steal.

Sophomore Phil Hogan threw the first three innings, totaling two strikeouts, three earned runs and five hits. First-year Ethan Docter (1-0 record) earned the win with three scoreless innings of relief. First-years Kirk Waller (1.1 IP, 3 ER) and Kason Pelz (0.2 IP) got UChicago through the eighth inning. Junior Sam Boswell finished off the ninth to pick up the save.

NEXT GAMES:

• Saturday, March 19 @ 11:00 AM (ET) – UChicago vs. Otterbein College (at Lexington, Ky.)
• Saturday, March 19 @ 2:30 PM (ET) – UChicago at Transylvania University