MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) baseball team won a 4-1 non-conference decision over the Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) Warhawks on Tuesday night at the AUM Baseball Complex handing SHC head coach Frank Sims his 899^th career victory.
 
SHC took a 1-0 lead over the Warhawks (11-17) when second baseman John Sklopan blasted his first home run of the year out of left field to lead off the 3^rd inning. Right fielder Grayson Williams then punched an infield single to the left side to plate left fielder Luke Wall in the 5^th inning.
 
The lead grew to 4-0 in the 6^th inning when Hunter Romero singled in catcher Brennan Fontenot and Sklopan drove in another run in the person of first baseman Keaton Smith with a single through the hole on the left side of the infield.
 
The win was the eighth consecutive victory for the suddenly hot Badgers who were standing at just 4-13 on the season one week ago. Starter Grant Schroeder (2-1) pitched an eight-inning jewel by scattering five hits and allowing just one run off a sacrifice fly in the 8^th inning. He struck out three batters and walked five. Rob Ewald stepped to the mound for the 9^th inning and earned his fourth save of the year with a single, a fly ball to center, and two grounders to the shortstop.
 
Along with Sklopan's two hits and two RBIs, Wall was 4-for-5 from his leadoff spot while Fontenot and third baseman Maverick Latour also garnered two hits for the Badgers.
 
AUM's Connor Smith (0-2) went 5.2 innings with nine hits, a walk, and three strikeouts in the loss. Third baseman Logan Nix had two hits including a triple for the Warhawks.
 
The Badgers (12-13, 5-0 SIAC West) will attempt to give Sims his 900^th career win as a collegiate skipper on Friday when they host the Lane College Dragons (0-22, 0-6 SIAC West) in an SIAC contest at 6 p.m. at historic Stan Galle Field.