Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Shepherd University (26-12, 20-4 MEC) swept West Liberty (14-18, 12-11 MEC) in MEC baseball action at West Liberty on Sunday. The Rams earned a 9-5 win in game one and added a 13-2 victory in the nightcap. The sweep runs Shepherd's winning streak to nine games.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning in game one as sophomore outfielder Brenton Doyle (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) singled and later scored on a passed ball.

The Rams added three runs in the second with an RBI-single by Doyle keying the rally.

Shepherd added a run in the third as junior catcher Eddie Nottingham (Windsor Mill, Md./Mt. St. Joseph's) singled and later scored on a single off the bat of junior designated hitter Brian McCourt (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown).

The Rams scored a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Doyle.

West Liberty answered back in the bottom of the frame with a two-run double from Chad Harper.

Shepherd added three runs in the sixth as Doyle, sophomore first baseman Christian Hamel (Pasadena, Md./IMG Academy), and senior third baseman Chase Hoffman (Middletown, Md./Middletown) each had RBI-singles to up the lead to 9-3.

The Hilltoppers added two runs in the seventh behind RBI-singles for Vincent Haddox and Coby Eckstein.

Doyle went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored for the Rams. McCourt added a 3-for-3 performance.

Ethan Estes went 4-for-4 for West Liberty.

Junior pitcher Justin Smith (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg/Hagerstown CC) (5.0 IP, 7 H,  3 ER, 6 K, 2 BB) (6-2) picked up the win, while junior reliever Colin Benner (Clear Brook, Va./Millbrook) (2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 K, 1 BB) earned the save. Hilltopper starter Logan Grimm (3.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 4 K, 5 BB) (2-3) took the loss.

Shepherd scored eight runs in the first inning in the nightcap with a two-run single by Nottingham and a two-run triple by Doyle highlighting the scoring effort.

The Rams added three runs in the second on a two-run single by McCourt and a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Nick Atkinson (Manassas, Va./Osbourn Park/VCU).

Shepherd tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth as junior second baseman Giovanni Torres (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) had an RBI-single to key the rally.

West Liberty got a two-run from Jarrett Delbrugge in the seventh to avoid the shutout.

Doyle went 3-for-4 to lead the Rams.

Freshman pitcher Adam Miller (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 7 K, 0 BB) (3-2) gained the victory for the Rams. Mitch Viakley (0.2 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 0 K, 1 BB) (1-4) took the loss.

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they travel to Notre Dame College for a 5 p.m. doubleheader.