FERRUM, Va. - Ferrum College maintained its perfect 2003 season record Monday afternoon with a 16-5 Dixie Conference victory over visiting Shenandoah. 

Ferrum (14-0, 2-0) knocked out 21 hits and scored 11 runs in the first four innings to seize control of the contest. Shenandoah (2-8-1, 0-2) had tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the second with a four run, three hit rally, but saw the Panthers retake the lead for good in their half of the frame with two runs on four hits.

SU scored just one more run in its final seven at-bats; FC starter Jason Beale held the Hornets to five runs (two earned) on eight hits and a walk in eight innings of work. He improves to 5-0 on the season.

Juniors Josh Bosley (Oakland, Md./Garrett CC) and Tyler Daniel (Richmond, Va./JR Tucker) led the Hornets with two hits apiece. Daniel also drove in a pair of runs with a double in the second inning.

Freshman Gerry Sasse (Philadelphia, Pa./Penn Charter) took the loss for the Hornets after giving up 11 runs (all earned) on 15 hits and a walk in 3.1 innings. Chris Hickerson (Nokesville, Va./Brentsville) and Jeff Ledbetter (Bristow, Va./Dundalk CC) came on in relief of Sasse and pitched 3.0 and 1.2 innings, respectively.

Mickey Russell and Thomas Meeks had four hits for Ferrum. 

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/bb/2003/031703.htm

Shenandoah is scheduled to travel to Mary Washington on Tuesday for a non-league game.