ANDERSON, Ind. — A run-scoring single in the eighth inning on Friday was the difference as the Earlham College baseball team defeated Anderson University 5-4.

The weekend three-game Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference set was scheduled for McBride Stadium, but it was moved to Anderson's Don Brandon Field. Although the Quakers were officially the home team in the contest, they still have not played in Richmond this season.

"This was a good win," Earlham Head Coach Steve Sakosits said. "The players showed me a lot despite everything with the field changes."

Ryan Hayes (New Lebanon, OH, Dixie) drove in the winning run with a single in the eighth after the Ravens had tied the contest in the top of the frame against Earlham starter Matt Brankle (Kokomo, IN, Taylor).

With the game tied at 4-4, Ethan Bailey (Greensburg, IN, Greensburg) led off the eighth with a single. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan McCray (Lexington, KY, Henry Clay). Alex Arovits (Lebanon, OH, Lebanon, Eastern Kentucky) reached on an Anderson error and Bailey went to third. One out later, Hayes grounded a hit into left field.

Zach Lee (Lynn, IN, Randolph Southern), who entered the game on the mound in the eighth in relief of Brankle, earned the victory as he slammed the door on the Ravens. Lee (1-4) got the last six outs and only allowed an intentional walk. Brankle, who pitched to four hitters in the eighth, recorded seven innings and gave up four runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.

Good Start

After the Ravens scored a run in the first, the Quakers responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead. A two-run single by Ted Williams (Harper Woods, MI, Grosse Pointe North) put the Quakers on top.

Earlham added to its advantage in the fifth when Sam Ward (Bay Village, OH, Bay, Marietta College) knocked in a run with a single and then he scored on the back end of a double steal attempt when Bailey was picked off and was called out at second.

Anderson scored a run in the sixth and then tied the affair in the eighth to set the stage for the winning hit by Hayes.

The Quakers (7-20, 3-9) and Ravens (10-15, 6-6) finish their series on Saturday with a doubleheader that starts at noon.