The LeMoyne-Owen College baseball team opened its home season in thrilling fashion with a pair of hard fought 6 to 5 victories over Harris Stowe in a doubleheader sweep. Under the leadership of head coach Brian Young, the Magicians displayed poise, resilience, and timely execution, rallying late in both contests to secure back to back one run wins.
Game one featured a strong start from LeMoyne-Owen, highlighted by Cedric Poellnitz, who immediately set the tone in the first inning. Poellnitz executed a perfectly placed bunt that turned into a double and drove in the opening run of the game. His aggressive approach helped ignite the offense early and put pressure on the Harris Stowe defense.
The game remained tight throughout, with both teams trading momentum. Harris Stowe managed to take a late lead, but the Magicians responded when it mattered most. In the bottom of the ninth inning, LeMoyne-Owen mounted a clutch rally. After getting runners on base, Christian Lozano delivered the biggest hit of the game, ripping a line drive single to center field that brought home the winning run and secured the 6 to 5 walk off victory.
Game two followed a similar script, with both teams battling through a back and forth contest. LeMoyne-Owen again relied on timely hitting and aggressive base running to create scoring opportunities. One of the standout performers in the second game was Tahj Williams, who showcased his speed and versatility. Williams recorded a triple, added a single, and scored multiple runs, consistently putting himself in position to impact the game.
Lozano continued his strong performance in game two as well, adding another RBI single that helped shift momentum in favor of the Magicians. His ability to deliver in key moments proved to be one of the defining factors across the doubleheader.
Across both games, several Magicians produced at a high level offensively. Lozano led the way with a strong combined showing, finishing the day with multiple hits and at least two RBIs, including the game winning hit in game one and a crucial RBI in game two. Williams was equally impactful, tallying multiple hits, including a triple, and scoring at least two runs while consistently applying pressure on the base paths. Poellnitz added extra base power with his early double and contributed an RBI, helping spark the offense in game one.
Additional contributions came from players like Marrero and Maya, who each recorded hits during the doubleheader and helped keep innings alive. The lineup showed depth, as multiple players found ways to contribute rather than relying on a single standout performer.
On the mound, the Magicians pitching staff showed toughness and composure in high pressure situations. While Harris Stowe was able to generate offense throughout both games, LeMoyne-Owen pitchers consistently limited damage and made key pitches when needed. The staff worked out of multiple jams, including key strikeouts in critical moments that prevented Harris Stowe from extending their lead.
Defensively, LeMoyne-Owen also made several impactful plays, including key outs on the base paths and clean execution in routine situations. Those small details proved crucial in two games decided by a single run.
The defining theme of the doubleheader was the Magicians ability to perform in clutch moments. Trailing late in both games, LeMoyne-Owen never panicked. Instead, they relied on disciplined at bats, aggressive base running, and timely hitting to complete both comebacks.
With the sweep, the Magicians not only secured their first home wins of the season but also established a strong identity as a team that thrives under pressure. LeMoyne-Owen will look to carry that momentum into their next series on February 7, when they host Philander-Smith in another doubleheader scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as they continue to build early season confidence and chemistry.
