MURFREESBORO, N.C. – Shepherd University (1-0) used a 16-hit attack en route to a 12-11 win over Chowan University (0-1) in baseball action at Chowan in the season opener for both schools on Monday afternoon.
 
Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when redshirt junior outfielder Bodie Pullen (Winchester, Va./James Wood) reached on a walk and later scored when senior first baseman Nik Rubendall (East Norriton, Pa./Pope John Paul II) reached on a fielder's choice.
 
After Chowan took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first, the Rams tacked on four runs in the third. Sophomore designated hitter Colin Ahart (Pennsauken, N.J./St. Joseph Academy) belted a two-run homer to key the rally.           
 
Chowan rallied in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 5-5. A two-run single by Ethan Robinson fueled the rally.
 
Shepherd plated four runs in the fifth to take a 9-5 advantage. Senior catcher Austin Sofran (Swedesboro, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) smacked a two-run double to key the scoring.
 
The Rams added two runs in the sixth as Ahart singled and later scored on a single by redshirt junior shortstop Ethan Burgreen (Winchester, Va./Millbrook). Senior outfielder Chase Herndon (Hedgesville, W.Va./Spring Mills) reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on a wild pitch.
 
Shepherd scored it final run in the seventh when Pullen tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Rubendall.
 
The Hawks rallied with six runs over the last three innings (two in the seventh, three in the eighth, and one in the ninth) to get to within a run. Freshman reliever Logan Bower (Winchester, Va./James Wood) entered the game in the ninth for the Rams with two on and one out. He proceeded to get a fly out and a ground out to gain the save.
 
Burgreen went 3-for-3 with two RBI and a pair of runs scored to pace the Rams.
 
Nick Reiss went 2-for-5 and drove in four runs for the Hawks.     

Sophomore pitcher Riley Morgan (Ranson, W.Va./Jefferson) (4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 2 BB) (1-0) earned the win. Kelton Taylor (2.2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 K, 2 BB) (0-1) took the loss. 

The two teams return to action on Tuesday at Chowan for an 11 a.m. doubleheader.