LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Hanover (6-8 overall) Baseball team looked to a ninth inning rally that came up just short at Spalding on Tuesday evening as they dropped the non-conference contest 14-13.  
 
On the mound, freshman John Girard (Richmond, Ky.) got the start throwing two complete innings with three strikeouts.
 
The Panther offensive hot streak continued as they plated three runs on four hits in the top of the first inning. Junior Eric Roudebush (New Palestine, Ind.) scored the game's first run following an RBI single to right field. The scoring outburst ensued as sophomore Reid Douglas (Rossville, Ind.) brought the hammer with a triple down the left field line that pushed Hanover on top 3-0.
 
However, the Golden Eagles responded in the bottom half of the inning plating one run before flipping the script in the second inning using six hits to plate five runs, 6-3.
 
The Panthers refused to be tamed tying the contest in the top of the fourth inning. Senior Spencer Martinelle (Indianapolis, Ind.) dealt the clutch hit using a Spalding error to pull HC within 6-5. Fresh off his walk-off homerun a weekend ago, Sophomore Jake Danneman (Edgewood, Ky.) turned to small ball dealing a perfect bunt. Hanover added two more runs in the inning following a series of Spalding mistakes, 8-6.
 
The Golden Eagles continued to hang around adding three runs on two hits in the bottom half of the fifth to claim the 9-8 lead.
 
Hanover tied the contest in the top of the sixth inning with junior Alex Christie (Greenwood, Ind.) connecting for a solo shot through the ride side, 9-9.
 
However, Spalding wouldn't go down without a fight as they plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to capture the 11-9 advantage.
 
Hanover ultimately scored the game's final runs in the top of the ninth inning.
 
With their backs against the wall, Roudebush and sophomore Andrew Oesterling (Batesville, Ind.) delivered. Roudebush scored the innings first run before Oesterling singled to center field knotting the contest at 11-11. Sophomore Grady Stickney (Cincinnati, Ohio) dealt the go-ahead blow as he singled to right securing the 13-11 advantage. But Spalding got the final say in the bottom half of the inning. 
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday, March 25 when they open Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action welcoming Mount St. Joseph. First pitch is slated for 2:30 PM.