SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (22-16, 7-11 PSAC East) split a doubleheader with West Chester (22-12, 9-6 PSAC East) in PSAC East baseball action at Fairfax Field on Sunday. The Rams took a 6-5 win in game one, while the Golden Rams grabbed a 12-7 victory in the nightcap.
West Chester took a 3-0 lead in the first inning in game one with a two-run homer by Joe Kaleck keying the rally.
Shepherd answered back with a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI-single by senior first baseman Ross Mulhall (Morgantown, W.Va./University/Gardner-Webb).
West Chester added a run in the fourth on a RBI-single by Evan Profy.
A two-run-single by sophomore outfielder Mike Guzzardo (Mullica Hill, N.J./Bishop Eustace Prep/RCSJ Cumberland) in the bottom of the fourth cut the lead to 4-3.
The Rams got a two-run homer by redshirt-sophomore outfielder Sam Daggers (Galloway, N.J./Absegami/Rowan Gloucester CC) and junior outfielder Idris Carter (Uniondale, N.Y./Roosevelt/Stony Brook) a solo blast in the fifth to give the Rams a 6-4 lead.
The Golden Rams added a run in the sixth as Shepherd held on for the win.
Carter, Guzzardo, and senior shortstop Cole Daugherty (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) each had a pair of hits for the Rams
Profy went 3-for-4 for the Golden Rams.
Redshirt-sophomore pitcher Brenden Lewis (Hurricane, W.Va./Hurricane) (4.0 IP 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 K, 2 BB) (4-2) gained the win. Senior pitcher Tanner Dixon (Frederick, Md./Frederick) (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 2 BB) earned the save. Julian Costa (5.0 IP, 8 H 6 ER, 8 K 4 BB) (2-1) took the loss.
Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first in the nightcap on a solo blast off the bat of Daugherty.
West Chester plated five runs in the second to take a 5-1 lead. Joe Kaleck hit a two-run double to key the rally.
The Golden Rams added a run in the fourth on a solo shot by John DeMucci.
Shepherd scored five runs in the sixth to take a 7-6 advantage. Guzzardo laced a two-run single to key the scoring outburst.
West Chester scored two runs in the eighth on a solo homer by Kaleck and a sacrifice fly by Sean Szestowski to take an 8-7 lead.
Luke Cantwell hit a three-run homer to key a four-run ninth for the Golden Bears.
Daugherty went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in to pace the Rams.
Cantwell went 3-for-5 and drove in four runs for West Chester.
Jeb Kurtz (3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 K, 1 BB) (1-0) earned the win for the Golden Rams. Redshirt-freshman pitcher Nate Mikulski (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) (1.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 0 BB) (1-2) took the loss.
The Rams return to action on Wednesday when they travel to West Virginia Wesleyan for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
