SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va.  – Shepherd University split with West Liberty in MEC baseball doubleheader action at Fairfax Field on Saturday. Shepherd posted a 7-0 win in game one and dropped a 5-1 decision in the nightcap.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in game one in the fourth inning as junior catcher Spencer Wolfe (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown/USC Aiken) led off with a double and later scored on a single by freshman second baseman Jacob Carney (Stephens City, Va./Sherando).

The Rams plated six runs on five hits in the fifth to take control of the game. Senior designated hitter Ryan Messina (St. James, NY/Smithtown East/Tampa) belted a three-run homer to key the rally.

Senior outfielder Michael Lott (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge), Messina, and Wolfe each had a pair of hits for the Rams.

DJ Busby went 3-for-3 to lead the Hilltoppers.

Sophomore starter Ryan Pansch (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (7.0 IP, 3 H, 9 Ks, 0 BB) (5-3) picked up the complete game win. Hilltopper starter Sean Pare (4.0 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 Ks, 2 BB) (2-3) took the loss.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap as senior outfielder Kyle Porter (Baltimore, Md./Good Counsel/CCBC) was hit-by-pitch and later scored on a ground out by junior outfielder Matt Wilson (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley/Essex CC).

West Liberty took a 2-1 lead in the third behind an RBI-double from Mike Johnson and an RBI-single by Tim Mirandy.

The Hilltoppers extended their lead to 4-1 with a pair of runs in the fourth as Clay Francis had an RBI-single and Busby plated another run on a sacrifice fly.

West Liberty added an insurance run in the seventh as Tim Hughes led off with single and later scored on a ground-out by Anthony Pierro.

Mike Johnson went 3-for-3 to lead West Liberty.

Lott had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.

Hilltopper starter Mike Reef (7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 Ks, 4 BB) (4-2) gained the complete game win. Junior starter Austin Hale (Nokesville, Va./Frederick CC) (3.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 Ks, 2 BB) (6-2) took the loss.

Shepherd moves to 30-9, 28-6 in conference play, while West Liberty is now 22-19, 19-14. The Rams return to action on Saturday when they travel to Urbana for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score