WINCHESTER, Va. – No. 8/10 Shenandoah University completed its home non-conference slate with an 18-4 victory over Messiah College Wednesday afternoon.
Jake Loew and Nate Loman hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning to lead Shenandoah (21-6) past the Falcons (10-15) and post the squad's eighth victory in the past nine games.
The back-to-back dingers, with Loew's a two-run shot, were part of four-run first for the Hornets.
Coach Kevin Anderson's club added three more in the second, with Loew driving in his third run of the day on a single up the middle, to give freshman starter Zach Teeple (4-1) more than enough support.
Teeple allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk in 7.0 innings. Teeple struck out seven before Ryan Kinter took over to start the eighth.
Kinter worked a 1-2-3 eighth and Robert Klinchock, who pitched the ninth, struck out his first two batters before giving up an unearned run.
After Messiah scored those three runs in the top of the fifth, SU answered with five in the bottom of the frame along with three more in the sixth to turn the contest into a rout.
The Hornets banged out 23 hits in the game – it is the 14th time this season that Shenandoah has had at least 10 hits in a game and the third time with at least 23.
Five players: Loew, Joe Coleman, Abel Arocho, Tristan Baker and Lew Johnson, had three hits each. Tyler Hott had two hits and all nine starters had at least one hit.
Messiah starter Jordan Nichols (0-1) allowed seven runs on seven hits and one walk in 2.0 innings. He was one of five pitchers on the day for the Falcons.
SU continues this homestand with a noon ODAC doubleheader Saturday versus Emory and Henry.
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