MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Senior Nick Hoffman tossed a gem Sunday afternoon, helping Centre defeat Rhodes 4-1 in a series-clinching victory at Stauffer Field.
 
The Louisville, Ky., native went eight innings, allowing six hits and just one unearned run while moving to 5-1 on the mound. 
 
Centre improves to 19-10 overall and 7-7 in the Southern Athletic Association, claiming its second conference series in a row. Rhodes slides to 18-15 (8-7 SAA) with Sunday's loss.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Hoffman faced the minimum through three innings, but the Lynx were able to plate an unearned run in the fourth to open the scoring.
 
Centre threatened in the fifth with runners in scoring position, but it wasn't until the sixth that the Colonels would take the lead with some clutch hitting.
 
A two-out double from Cameron Duggins brought Mason Falbo in to tie the game, and Parker Selin followed with a single to right field that scored Duggins and Seth Hagan.
 
Hoffman continued to cut down Rhodes batters, not facing much resistance until the eighth. The Lynx loaded the bases, but Hoffman escaped the inning unscathed with the help of Jordan Gunter, whose diving catch in right field stranded three runners. 
 
Gunter then led off the top of the ninth with a solo homerun to pad Centre's lead, 4-1. It marked his second collegiate homer.
 
Drew Schacht spelled Hoffman in the ninth, and, despite a couple of Rhodes base hits, was able to earn the save and clinch the victory.
 
Centre finished with eight hits as a team, with Duggins going 2-for-4 with a run and RBI to lead the way. 
 
Hoffman struck out four batters in the win, and surrendered only one walk and one extra-base hit. Sunday was his longest outing of the season, and the third time this year he's given up one or fewer earned runs.   
 
UP NEXT
Centre faces in-state rival Transylvania Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Lexington, Ky. The Colonels defeated the Pioneers 6-5 in a comeback victory in Danville back on March 12.