NUTTER FORT, W.Va. – Shepherd University (17-10) and Salem (9-25) split in non-conference baseball doubleheader action at Frank Loria Memorial Field on Friday. The Rams posted a 7-1 win in game one while Salem rallied for an 8-7 win in the nightcap.
Shepherd took a 4-0 lead in the first inning in game one with a two-run single by junior outfielder Brennan Holmes (Ona, W.Va./Cabell Midland) keying the rally.
The Tigers answered back with a run in the bottom of the frame as Cameron Abele walked and later scored when Kasey Buchanan reached on a fielder's choice.
Shepherd added a run in the third on a solo homer by sophomore shortstop Cole Daugherty (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) and another in the fourth on a solo blast by senior outfielder Jared Carr (Martinsburg, W.Va./St. James School) to take a 6-1 advantage.
The Rams tacked on a run in the fifth as senior infielder Joey Schwartz (Smithsburg, Md./Smithsburg/Western Kentucky) walked and later scored on an infield single by junior infielder Tommy Gibson (Sicklerville, NJ/Williamstown/Penn State/Rowan).
Carr went 3-for-3 to lead the Rams.
Austin Earl went 3-for-4 to pace the Tigers.
Senior pitcher Steve Bowley (Medford, N.J./Holy Cross Academy/Cumberland County) (5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB) (5-2) gained the win for the Rams. Frank Cleary (4.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 2 K, 4 BB) (1-2) took the loss for Salem.
Shepherd took a 2-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap. Daugherty singled and later scored on a wild pitch.
The other tally came when graduate student outfielder Caleb Walls (State College, Pa./State College Area/Maryland) doubled and later scored on an infield single by Holmes.
After scoring single runs in the first and second, Salem took a 4-2 lead in the third on a two-run homer by Earl.
Salem added an unearned run in the fourth to take a 5-2 advantage.
Shepherd took a 6-5 lead in the fifth behind a grand slam off the bat of senior first baseman Dalton Stewart (Sharpsburg, Md./Boonsboro/UMBC).
The Tigers added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-6 lead.
Senior outfielder Colton Henson (Spring Mills, W.Va./Spring Mills/Alderson Broaddus) led off the seventh with a solo homer to left to tie the game at 7-7.
The Tigers earned the win in the bottom of the seventh as Noah Suarez reached on an error and advanced to second. He scored the game-winner on a single by Josh Medina.
Austin Whetzel, Medina, and Suarez each had a pair of hits for the Tigers.
Jason Gomez (0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0 BB) (2-2) earned the win for Salem. Senior pitcher Mitchell Wilson (Hagerstown, Md./St. James School/UMBC) (0.0 IP, 1 H, 1 UER, 0 K, 1 BB) (0-2) took the loss.
The two teams return to action on Saturday for a single nine-inning game at noon at Salem.
