Box Score ETTRICK, Va. – Shepherd University (1-2) downed Virginia State, 5-1, in baseball action at Virginia State (0-5) on Sunday. The nightcap was halted due to rain.

Shepherd took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning as sophomore designated hitter Daniel Heleine (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville/WVU) doubled and was plated on a home run off the bat of senior first baseman Sam Crater (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York/Frederick CC).

The Rams increased their lead to 3-0 in the sixth as senior shortstop Tre Porter (Stephens City, Va./Sherando/Potomac State) reached on an infield single, stole second, and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly from freshman catcher Christian Hamel (Pasadena, Md./IMG Academy).

The Trojans cut the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth as Chris Carter led off with a double and later scored on a ground out by Rodney Shell.

The Rams added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by junior outfielder JJ Sarty (Purcellville, Va./Woodgrove/William & Mary) and an RBI-single by Porter.

Crater went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored and two runs batted in to pace the Rams. Porter added a 2-for-4 effort with a run scored and an RBI.

Senior pitcher Jamie Driver (Broad Run, Va./Kettle Run) (1-1) (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 Ks, 0 BB) gained the win for the Rams. Freshman pitcher AJ Stead (Culpeper, Va./Eastern View) retired Virginia State in order in the seventh. Lamar Jones (0-1) (7.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 6 Ks, 3 BB) took the loss for the Trojans.

The Rams are slated to return to action on Friday when they travel to Dinwiddie, Va. to face Post at 7 p.m.