WINCHESTER, Va. – Shenandoah University rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday afternoon to defeat visiting Messiah College 5-4 in non-league baseball action.

Shenandoah (11-7) put together three runs on three hits to rally for its sixth straight non-league victory. Messiah falls to 5-4-1 with the loss.

Sam Fullerton led off the ninth with and advanced to second on Daniel Bowers single to left before PJ Harbison came into run for Fullerton. Following a Jason Eberz fielder's choice that retired Harbison, pinch hitter David Jenkins was intentionally walked to load the bases.

A balk plated Bowers and put Hunter Calloway, who had pinch run for Eberz, on third and Jenkins on second. Daniel Ziccardy tied the game one batter later with a sacrifice fly to center, and set the table for Steven Todd to play the hero.

Todd came through in the clutch, knocking a single through the left side that scored Jenkins from second base. The play was not without controversy however, as Messiah pitcher Dan Baker appeared to commit a balk on the pitch that Todd hit into leftfield. The umpires ruled that the ball was live, and Shenandoah took the comeback victory.

Sophomore Keith Fritz (1-2)earned the win on the mound after coming on five batters into the third inning. He gave up no runs on three hits and one walk against seven strikeouts in seven innings of work.

Bowers and Todd combined for five of the Hornets nine hits on the day; Bowers was 3 for 4 with two runs batted in and Todd 2 for 4 with the game winning RBI.

Box Score/Play by Play 

Shenandoah is off until traveling to Greensboro College this weekend for a three-game USA South Conference series.