SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (34-14, 24-6 MEC) swept Fairmont State (25-25, 16-16 MEC) in MEC baseball doubleheader action at Fairfax Field on Saturday. The Rams gained a 12-3 win in game one and added a 10-7 triumph in the nightcap.  Shepherd won the MEC North Division title for the fourth consecutive season. The Rams closed the regular season on a five-game winning streak and have also won 15 of their last 19 games.

Sophomore outfielder Jared Carr (Martinsburg, W.Va./St. James School) went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored to pace the Rams in game one.

Junior outfielder Brenton Doyle (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run), junior outfielder Justin Smith (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg/Hagerstown CC) and senior outfielder Nick Atkinson (Manassas, Va./Osbourn Park/VCU) each contributed a pair of hits. Doyle had a pair of doubles, while Smith and Atkinson each had round-trippers.

Junior pitcher Steve Bowley (Medford, N.J./Holy Cross Academy/Cumberland County) (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 2 BB) (7-2) earned the win. Will Brown (0.2 IP, 3 H, 4  ER, 1 K, 2 BB) (6-2) took the loss.

Smith and Atkinson each had 3-for-4 outings to pace a 13-hit attack for the Rams in the nightcap. Smith was a homer shy of hitting for the cycle, while Atkinson belted his second home run of the day.

Carr and senior second baseman Eric Sloper (Catlett, Va./Patriot) added a pair of hits, while Doyle had a game-high three runs.

Fairmont State got home runs from Jordan Sanders, Zach Musgrove, and Greg Yaksich.

Junior pitcher Ryan Marketell (Webster, N.Y./Webster/Monroe CC) (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 6 K, 4 BB) (4-1) gained the win for the Rams. Pane (1.1 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 0 K, 3 BB) (1-2) took the loss.

The Rams return to action on Thursday when they face a yet to be determined opponent in first-day action of the MEC Tournament at Linda K. Epling Stadium in Beckley.