SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (15-11, 3-3 PSAC East) dropped a pair of games to #30 Millersville (19-6, 4-2 PSAC East) in baseball doubleheader action at Fairfax Field on Friday. The Rams dropped a 10-2 decision in game one and fell in a 6-5 setback in the nightcap.
Millersville took a 4-0 lead in the first inning of game one. Xavier Smith hit a two-run single to highlight the scoring
Shepherd scored one in the first when redshirt junior outfielder Bodie Pullen (Winchester, Va./James Wood) reached on an error and later scored on a ground out by redshirt sophomore Infielder Ryan Fluharty (Burton, W.Va./Morgantown/USC Upstate).
The Marauders took a 5-1 lead in the third inning on a solo shot from Jimmy Kirk.
The Rams plated a run in the third when freshman infielder Andrew O'Brien (Harrisonburg, Va./Spotswood) singled and later scored on a double from freshman infielder Evan Rosario (Lanham, Md./Jackson-Reed).
Millersville took a 7-2 advantage in the fifth behind a solo homer from Brady Ebbert and an RBI-single by Sammy Laux.
The Marauders scored three in the seventh to cap the scoring at 10-2.
Alex Kuehn (7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K) (4-2) earned the win. Senior pitcher Allen Miller (Mechanicsville, Md./Chopticon) (2.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) (2-2) took the loss.
Shepherd took a 2-0 lead in the second inning of the nightcap. Freshman catcher Alex Rose (Oakton, Va./Oakton) hit a run-scoring double and later scored on a ground out by junior infielder Braylon Conner (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville/Hagerstown CC).
Millersville tied the game at 2-2 in the third behind a two-run single from Chris Hunsicker.
After Millersville scored one in the fourth, the Rams took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the inning with a pair of unearned runs. Rosario drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
The Marauders scored three runs in the sixth to take a 6-4 lead. A sacrifice fly from Laux and an RBI-single from Troy Chamberlin keyed the rally.
Shepherd scored a run in the seventh when senior first baseman Nik Rubendall (East Norriton, Pa./Pope John Paul II) singled and later scored when Burgreen walked with the bases loaded. The Rams had the bases loaded and one out when reliever Carlos Caraballo entered the game and retired the next two batters to secure the win.
Redshirt junior designated hitter Wyatt Lamb (Asbury, W.Va./Mt. Calvary Christian School (Pa.)) had a pair of hits to pace the Rams.
Matthew Williams went 2-for-5 to lead the Marauders.
Brady Grimes (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K) (1-0) earned the win. Carlos Caraballo (0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) earned the save (1). Freshman pitcher Logan Bower (Winchester, Va./James Wood) (2.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) (2-2) took the loss.
The Rams return to action Saturday when they travel to Millersville for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
