BALTIMORE, Md. – Junior designated hitter Brian McCourt (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown) singled home sophomore outfielder Jared Carr (Martinsburg, W.Va./St. James School) with the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift Shepherd University (1-6) to a 7-6 win over Tiffin University (0-1) in game one of baseball doubleheader action at McManus Field in Carla Crispino Baseball Stadium at Calvert Hall College High School on Friday evening. Tiffin scored three runs in the top of the seventh to gain a 5-2 win in the nightcap.
Shepherd took a 4-0 lead in the second inning behind an RBI-single by McCourt and a three-run homer by junior shortstop Trenton Burgreen (Winchester, Va./Millbrook)..
Tiffin rallied with six runs in the fourth to take a 6-4 advantage. Zach Campbell hit a three-run double to key the rally.
Junior third baseman Dalton Stewart (Sharpsburg, Md./Boonsboro/UMBC).hit a solo home run in the fourth to cut the lead to 6-5.
Shepherd tied the game in the fifth as junior outfielder Brenton Doyle (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) singled and later scored on a single by junior catcher Christian Hamel (Pasadena, Md./IMG Academy).
Carr, Hamel and McCourt each had a pair of hits for the Rams.
Campbell went 2-for-5 for the Dragons.
Junior reliever Steve Bowley (Medford, N.J./Holy Cross Academy/Cumberland County College) (0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 K, 0 BB) (1-0) gained the win for the Rams. Michael Ross (3.1 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 1 ER, 4 K, 2 BB) (0-1) took the loss for the Dragons.
Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap as Carr singled home Doyle, who reached on a hit-by-pitch.
The Dragons tied the game in the third as Brayden Callihan reached on an error and scored on another.
Tiffin took a 2-1 lead on an RBI-single by Jack Dennis in the fifth.
Doyle belted a double to plate junior second baseman Eric Sloper (Catlett, Va./Patriot) in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 2-all.
The Dragons scored three runs in the seventh to gain the win. Zach Campbell had an RBI-triple and later scored on a sacrifice fly by John Heckman to key the rally.
Doyle led the Rams with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate.
Campbell went 3-for-4 to pace the Dragons.
Tyler Wehrle (3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 2 BB) (1-0) gained the win in relief for Tiffin. Junior reliever Tyler Shorter (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) (1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 K, 1 BB) (0-2) took the loss for the Rams.
The two teams return to action on Saturday when they play a single game at 1 p.m. at Calvert Hall.
