WINCHESTER, Va. – No. 3/3 Shenandoah University forced the 'if necessary' game Sunday afternoon at the Winchester Regional with a 14-5 victory over No. 10 Christopher Newport University.
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In the first meeting since May 9, 2012 between the two former conference rivals, the Hornets (41-8) chased CNU starter Jack Anderson four batters into the game while opening up an 8-0 lead over the Captains (33-10).
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IN DEPTH
Shenandoah's program record-tying 41
st victory came behind 15 hits and outstanding pitching performances from first-year Michael Myers and senior
Matt House.
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Myers, in his just his second start of the season, tossed the first 4 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on four hits and five walks while striking out three.
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Tristan Everett (2-1) got the final out of the fifth to earn the victory before House went the rest of the way to post his third save of the season. House scattered three hits, walked one, and struck out two.
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SU jumped on the Captains for one run in the first as Anderson walked the first four batters of the game on 22 pitches before departing. Brandon Cassedy went got out of the first on a strikeout and a double play and ended up allowing seven runs (just three earned) on eight hits and one walk in 5.0 innings.
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Shenandoah opened up its lead with five runs in the fourth and two in the fifth. CNU made matters interesting with three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth before the Hornets pulled away with a six-spot in the seventh.
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Colby Martin led the 15-hit attack with a 4 for 5 day while
Kooper Anderson drove in five runs on three hits in five at-bats and
Gavin Horning was 2 for 3 with three RBI. Eight of the nine SU starters got at least one hit.
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Scott Crosson, Justin Bowers, and Alec Reilly all had two hits each for the Captains with Sam Benedict driving in a pair.
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Anderson falls to 2-2 with the loss.
BY THE NUMBERS
- The 41st victory ties the 2017 team for most wins in program history
UP NEXT
The championship game is scheduled for a 4:35 p.m. start.
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