WINCHESTER, Va. – No. 21/28 Shenandoah University punched its ticket to the 2022 ODAC Baseball Championship with a 4-1 victory over Hampden-Sydney Monday afternoon.
The win for Shenandoah (31-10-1) clinches the best-of-three series over H-SC (20-19).
IN BRIEF
Playing as the visiting team in its home ballpark, SU scored two runs in the first, along with single runs in the second and third to take a lead it would not relinquish versus the Tigers.
The offense was more than enough for junior
Reilly Owen, who pitched a second straight gem for Shenandoah. The right-hander scattered three hits and three walks while striking out six in his 87-pitch, seven-inning performance.
Senior
Carson Kulina came on to start the eighth and got the final six outs while allowing one run on four hits and one walk.
Owen faced the minimum in the second, fifth, and sixth innings.
The Hornets scored their first run as
Frankie Ritter drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third on
Gavin Horning's single to right center and then scored on a
Kyle Lisa sacrifice fly.
Haden Madagan had what proved to be the game-winning RBI three batters later as Horning came home on a
Haden Madagan bases loaded fielder's choice.
In the second, Ritter singled to left, stole second and third before coming home on a Horning groundout to third.
In the third, Madagan had his second RBI of the day on a groundout to short. He plated
Ryan Clawson, who led off with a single up the middle and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches.
Clawson and
Pearce Bucher both had two hits to lead the Shenandoah offense. The Hornets had nine hits on the day.
Nic Graziano took the loss for H-SC. He allowed four runs on six hits and one walk in three innings of work. Owen Tappy pitched the final six innings for the Tigers.
UP NEXT
Shenandoah takes on No. 5 Bridgewater on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in the second of two games played on day one of the 2022 ODAC Baseball Championship. All remaining games in the double-elimination tournament will be played at Truist Point in High Point, North Carolina.
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