SALISBURY, Md. - Shenandoah University made it two wins in two days at the 2009 Salisbury Regional with an 11-2 blowout victory over York College of Pennsylvania.
SU (35-8) advances into Friday's winner's bracket final at 4:30 against fellow USA South member Christopher Newport University with the win over York (28-15). The Captains advanced with a 5-4, 10-inning victory over top-seeded Salisbury University Thursday afternoon.
Shenandoah got things started on the right note against the Spartans, scoring three runs on three hits in the top of the first inning off of YCP starter Andy Rosenzweig (6-6).
Senior Scott Lambert opened with a single to right center before moving into scoring position when Jesse Henry drew a base on balls. Sophomore Greg Van Sickler followed Henry to the plate and brought home both Henry and Lambert with a two-run double off of the left-field wall.
After Scott Van Dusseldorp grounded out to second, designated hitter Cory Nelson plated Van Sickler with single into short right field.
This offense proved more than enough for SU starter Josh Simons (5-0), as he cruised to the win with 10 strikeouts against two runs on four hits and three walks, but the offense was far from finished.
Shenandoah broke things completely open in the third with seven runs on five hits as 11 men took turns at the plate.
Van Sickler drilled his second double in as many at-bats, this time down the third base line, with one out to begin the long rally. The sophomore scored when he stole third and advanced home when the relay throw to get him at third base skipped into left field.
Van Dusseldorp walked and Nelson singled to left, sending Jasen Eberz to the plate.
Eberz' RBI double chased Rosenzweig in favor of Kyle Cook, but it didn't slow the Hornets momentum.
No. 8 hitter Adam Delauter loaded the bases when he worked Cook through a 10-pitch at-bat before being plunked in the leg with offering No. 11.
Jon Holcomb did Delauter four pitches better and was awarded first base when York catcher Jim Meehan was charged with interference as Holcomb hit a weak groundball to first.
Kevin Brashears turned it into a complete rout by clearing the bases with a double into the left-center gap before Henry completed the rally with an RBI single to left.
Shenandoah final run came when Holcomb drove home Nelson with a single to center. Nelson reached on a one-out double.
Eight of the nine SU starters had at least one hit, with Nelson getting three in four at-bats, and all nine starters scored at least one run.
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