PEMBROKE, N.C. – Shepherd (3-4) dropped a 12-7 decision to 13th-ranked UNC Pembroke (10-3) in baseball action at UNC Pembroke on Sunday. 

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the second inning as graduate student catcher Zach Doss (Waldorf, Md./North Point/Maryland) reached on a hit-by-pitch and later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior outfielder Corey Jamison (Williamsport, Md./Williamsport). 

The Rams added a pair of runs in the third on a two-run blast by redshirt-sophomore infielder Wyatt Miles (Waterford, Va./Woodgrove/Frederick CC). 

Shepherd scored three runs in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. Graduate student infielder Connor Dewees (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) hit a solo homer to key the rally. 

UNC Pembroke tallied three runs in the fourth. Spencer Faulkner had an RBI double and later scored on a wild pitch to key the rally.  

The Braves added three runs in the fifth on a two-run homer by Ethan Ott and a solo blast by Kody O'Connor to tie the game at 6-6. 

UNC Pembroke scored on an RBI single by Michael Kocen in the sixth to take a 7-6 lead. 

Shepherd tied the game in the eighth on a lead-off solo blast by Doss. 

The Braves plated five runs in the eighth to gain the win. O'Connor hit a two-run homer to key the rally. 

Dewees went 3-for-5 to pace the Rams. Senior infielder Cole Daugherty (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) added a 2-for-2 effort. 

O'Connor went 4-for-4 to lead the Braves.  

Kasen McCauley (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, 3 BB) (1-0) gained the win for the Braves. Redshirt-sophomore pitcher Brenden Lewis (Hurricane, W.Va./Hurricane) (3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 6 K, 3 BB) (2-1) took the loss for the Rams.  

The Rams return to action on Friday when they host Lake Erie for a noon doubleheader.