SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University swept West Virginia Wesleyan in MEC baseball doubleheader action at Fairfax Field on Wednesday. Shepherd held on for a 4-3 win in game one and added a 6-0 victory in the nightcap.
Shepherd took a 3-0 lead in the first inning in game one behind an RBI-double by senior designated hitter Ryan Messina (St. James, NY/Smithtown East/Tampa) and RBI-singles from junior catcher Spencer Wolfe (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown/ USC Aiken) and freshman second baseman Jacob Carney (Stephens City, Va./Sherando).
The Bobcats plated single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth inning to knot the game at 3-3.
Shepherd scored the game-winner in the bottom of the fifth. Senior outfielder Michael Lott (Woodbridge, VA/Woodbridge) walked, then stole second and third base. Wolfe followed with a double to score Lott.
Wolfe and Carney each had a pair of hits for the Rams.
Junior pitcher Austin Hale (Nokesville, Va. Frederick CC) (5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 Ks, 3 BB) (6-1) picked up the win, while sophomore reliever Sam Crater (Dillsburg, Pa./Frederick CC) (1.0 IP, 1K, 0 BB) tossed hitless ball in the seventh to gain his third save of the year. Daniel Powell (5.0 IP, 6 H 4 R, 1 ER, 4 Ks, 2 BB) (2-3) took the loss.
Carney went 2-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs to lead the Rams in the nightcap.
The Rams used a four-run fourth inning to pull away. Carney had an RBI-double, while senior first baseman Brandon Coffey (Manassas, Va./Osbourn), senior shortstop T.J. Weisenberg (Hedgesville, W.Va./Martinsburg), and Lott added RBI-singles.
Lott, Wolfe, and senior outfielder Kyle Porter (Baltimore, Md./Good Counsel/CCBC) each added a pair of hits.
Sophomore starter Ryan Pansch (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (5.0 IP, 2 H, , 8 Ks, 0 BB) (4-3) picked up the win. Bobcat starter Christopher Denno (2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 Ks, 0 BB) (1-5) took the loss.
Shepherd improves to 27-8, 25-5 in conference play, while West Virginia Wesleyan falls to 8-18, 5-18. The Rams return to action on Friday when they host West Liberty for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
Game One Box ScoreGame Two Box Score
