Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (11-5, 5-1 MEC) pounded out 29 hits on the day en route to a sweep of West Virginia State (7-8, 3-3 MEC) in Mountain East Conference baseball action at Fairfax Field on Thursday. The Rams gained a 16-4 victory in game one and added a 13-7 triumph in the nightcap.

Trailing 4-0 in game one, the Rams plated four runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. Junior second baseman Brandon Kirk (Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West/Mercer CC) belted a two-run homer to key the rally

Shepherd tacked on 12 runs on 12 hits in the fifth to pull away for the win. Junior outfielder Ron Farley (Cockeysville, Md./Calvert Hall/Delaware State) and junior outfielder JJ Sarty (Purcellville, Va./Woodgrove/William & Mary) each belted a two-run double, while freshman catcher Christian Hamel (Pasadena, Md./IMG Academy) hit a two-run single to highlight the scoring outburst.

Farley, Sarty, junior outfielder Jacob Carney (Stephens City, Va./Sherando), and senior shortstop Tre Porter (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) each had a pair of hits for the Rams. Farley drove in four runs and Porter added a solo blast.

Josh Kiser went 2-for-3 for the Yellow Jackets.

Freshman pitcher Colin Benner (Clear Brook, Va./Millbrook)  (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 Ks, 1 BB) (2-0) gained the win for Shepherd. Eric Roberts (4.0 IP, 4 H 5 R, 4 ER, 5 Ks, 1 BB) (0-2) took the loss for the Yellow Jackets.

Trailing 2-0 in the nightcap, Shepherd plated six runs in the second inning to take control of the game. Farley's two-run homer keyed the rally

The Rams added four runs in the fifth to take 10-run lead at 13-3. Carney hit a two-run single and Kirk added a two-run double to fuel the rally.

Farley and sophomore designated hitter Daniel Heleine (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville/WVU) each went 3-for-4 to lead the Rams.

Phil Mandt went 2-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs for the Yellow Jackets.

Junior pitcher John Bentley (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) (6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 7 Ks, 1 BB) (2-2) gained the win. State starter Dustin Kincaid (4.0 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 1K 1 BB) (0-1) took the loss.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host University of Charleston for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.