SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University and Concord split MEC baseball doubleheader action at Fairfax Field on Sunday. The Mountain Lions earned a 4-1 win in game one, while Shepherd gained a 7-5 triumph in a snow-shortened six-inning game in the nightcap.
Shepherd took a 3-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap. A outfield error on a ball hit by freshman second baseman Jacob Carney (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) with the bases loaded gave the Rams the early lead.
Concord answered back with a pair of runs in the second. Joey Miller hit a solo blast and Brandon Costa added an RBI-single.
Shepherd added a run in the bottom of the second as senior shortstop T.J Weisenburg (Hedgesville, W.Va./Martinsburg) led off with a single and later scored on a ground out by junior catcher Spencer Wolfe (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown/USC Aiken).
The Mountain Lions tied the game with a pair of runs in the fourth. Jerrod Groves was hit-by pitch and scored when Blevins reached on an error. Blevins later scored on a single by Charles Goss.
Shepherd took a 7-4 lead with three runs in the fourth. Senior outfielder Kyle Porter (Baltimore, Md./Good Counsel/CCBC) had an RBI-single and senior designated hitter Ryan Messina (St. James, NY/Smithtown East/Tampa) added a two-run single to key the rally.
Concord added a run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Goss.
Messina and senior outfielder Michael Lott (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) each had a pair of hits for the Rams.
Junior starter Austin Hale (Nokesville, Va./Frederick CC) (4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER 3 Ks, 3 BB) (2-1) gained the win with redshirt-freshman pitcher Mac West (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge/Francis Marion) (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2Ks, 1 BB) gaining the save. Concord starter Zach Kelly (3.1 IP, 6 H, 7 R 6 ER, 1 K, 2 BB) (2-1) took the loss.
Concord took a 2-0 lead in the first inning in game one behind a two-run single by T.J. Brockway.
Concord added a run in the third when Bret Blevins led off with a walk and later scored on an infield error.
The Mountain Lions added a run in the fifth on an RBI-double by Sullivan.
Shepherd's lone score came in the seventh as senior first baseman Brandon Coffey (Manassas, VA/Osbourn) led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of senior outfielder Kyle Porter (Baltimore, Md./Good Counsel/CCBC).
Chris Kelly (7.0 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 3 Ks, 1 BB) (3-1) gained the complete game win for the Mountain Lions. Sophomore pitcher Ryan Pansch (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 6 Ks, 4 BB) (1-3) took the loss.
Shepherd moves to 10-7, 8-4 in conference play, while Concord is now 13-5, 10-2. The Rams return to action on Wednesday when they host Pitt-Johnstown for a single nine inning game at 2 p.m.
