LEXINGTON, Va. – In a game that saw seven runs scored within the first 3.5 innings, it would be zeros on the board until Washington and Lee retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Shenandoah (13-1, 3-0) then went on to plate two runs in the top of the eighth, but once again W&L tied the game at 6 in the bottom of the inning.
Joey Mitchell came on to pitch the final 3.1 innings to shut down the Generals, but it was
Gavin Horning's two-run blast in the top of the 11
th that put the Hornets up 8-6 as the Hornets would escape with the win to remain unbeaten in conference play and have now won 11 straight games.
Winning Pitcher:
Joey Mitchell (3-0)
Losing Pitcher: Cooper Charneco (1-1)
Top Performers:
Gavin Horning: 3-6, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, 1 home run, 1 SB
Brody Pickette: 1-2, 2 RBI, 1 sacrifice fly
Haden Madagan: 2-5, 2 runs scored, 2 doubles
Jaime Padilla: 2-6, 1 run scored, 2 RBI, 1 double
Joey Mitchell: winning pitcher, 3.1 innings pitched, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts
Nick Bell: 4 innings pitched, 4 hits, 3 runs, 2 ER, 2 walks
Ricky Synder: 2 innings pitched, 0 hits, 1 walk
HOW IT HAPPENED
- With one out in the first Jaime Padilla doubled to center field, before Chandler Ballenger reached first on an error which allowed Padilla to come around to score for the Hornets to go up 1-0.
- Washington and Lee tied the game in the bottom of the first with a home run to right field.
- Again, with one out in the second, Haden Madagan doubled the left field line and advanced to third off an error. Brody Pickette grounded out to the shortstop and that allowed Madagan to walk home for the 2-1 lead.
- In the Generals' bottom of the second, W&L hit a lead-off single and then advanced to second soft grounder to short. A walk put two on with only one out. Then the Generals singled through the right side, to score a run, but the two trail runners moved up on an error. W&L took the lead on a sacrifice bunt, that scored the run from third.
- The Hornets tied the game in the third with a two-out single from Gavin Horning. Horning then stole second, and after Ballenger drew a walk, Scott Wilson doubled to right center and Horning easily scored.
- Nick Bell shut the Generals down in the third as the score remained tied at 3.
- In the fourth, the Hornets scored their fourth straight run, when Madagan led off with another double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Brody Pickette flew out to right field, and that was deep enough for Madagan to score the go-ahead run.
- In the fifth, after surrendering a lead-off double, Nick Bell was lifted for Ricky Snyder who got the next three outs to get out of the inning.
- In the bottom of the seventh, the Generals struck for two runs to regain a 5-4 lead. Jackson Sherman relieved Snyder and gave up a leadoff double. The Generals advanced the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt and then scored the tying run on a sac fly to center field. A single and a walk ended the day for Sherman, who then gave way to Anthony Arrichiello. A single loaded the bases for the Generals and then a bases loaded walk gave the W&L the lead.
- In the eighth, Connor Houser entered as a pinch hitter and singled to right field. Kyle Garrett then came on to run for Houser and stole second with two outs. Frankie Ritter singled to the pitcher and used his speed to reach base, advancing Garrett to third. After stealing second, Jaime Padilla singled to easily score Garrett and Ritter.
- No lead was safe in this game as the Generals came back to tie the game once again in the bottom of the inning. Joey Mitchell entered the game to get the final out in the eighth.
- After the Hornets went down in order in the ninth, Mitchell worked around a leadoff walk to push the game to extra innings.
- Both teams were retired in order in the tenth.
- In the eleventh, Ritter singled to left field, and after Padilla failed to advance the runner bringing up Gavin Horning with one out and a runner on first. Horning then proceeded to blast a home run to left field to give the Hornets a two-run lead in the 11th.
- Mitchell got the first out in the eleventh, before surrendering a single. Scott Wilson made a veteran play getting the lead out at second for the second out of the inning. A walk put two runners on with two outs, and then both runners advanced on a passed ball. Mitchell struck out the final batter to end any threat and give the Hornets the victory.
UP NEXT
The Hornets continue their road trip this weekend when they will travel down to North Carolina for a doubleheader on Saturday with Guilford.
#GoSUHornets
