WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team opened its 2025 season in dominant fashion, securing a two-game sweep over the defending NCAA Division III National Champions, No. 4 Misericordia University. The Hornets tallied 10 hits in both games while holding the Cougars to just five total hits throughout the series. Strong pitching performances and timely hitting proved to be the difference as Shenandoah outscored Misericordia 10-0 following an early deficit in Game 1.
Game 1 – HOW IT HAPPENED
Parker Farrington took the mound for Shenandoah and retired the Cougars in order in the first inning. Jaime Padilla led off the Hornets' first at-bat with a single to right field, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Luke Keister, but the inning ended with Padilla stranded on second.
In the second inning, Farrington quickly secured two outs before an error allowed a runner on base. However, he ended the inning on the next pitch with a flyout to center. The Hornets threatened in the bottom of the second with a Connor Houser double, but they were unable to capitalize.
Michael Meyers relieved Farrington in the third and issued a leadoff walk. After a sacrifice bunt and a single put two runners on, Misericordia's three-hole hitter launched a three-run home run, giving the Cougars a 3-0 lead. Shenandoah responded in the bottom of the third when Kyle Garrett doubled down the right-field line and later scored on a Haden Madagan double, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
Meyers worked around a leadoff walk in the fourth, stranding the runner at third. The Hornets capitalized in their half of the inning as Brody Pickett led off with a single and later scored on a wild pitch. After a Connor Houser single, Liam Cook drew a walk, and Kyle Garrett's base hit up the middle loaded the bases. Jaime Padilla walked to tie the game at 3-3, but the Cougars escaped further damage.
Anthony Arrichiello entered in the fifth and induced a crucial inning-ending double play. Noah Cornwell then led off with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on a balk, giving the Hornets their first lead of the game, 4-3. Later in the inning, Scott Wilson doubled to extend the lead to 5-3.
Joey Mitchell took the mound in the sixth to protect the lead. Despite issuing a leadoff walk and hitting a batter, he induced a double play to escape the inning unscathed. In the seventh, Mitchell recorded the first out via strikeout but then allowed a hit-by-pitch and a walk, putting two runners on with two outs. He sealed the victory and earned the save by inducing a groundout to second base.
Game 2 – HOW IT HAPPENED
Jacob Gilbert got the start in Game 2 and worked around a leadoff single to keep the Cougars scoreless. In the bottom of the first, Jaime Padilla drew a walk before Kyle Garrett singled, putting two runners on. Haden Madagan reached on a fielder's choice, and Brody Pickett followed with a two-run single to give the Hornets an early 2-0 lead.
Gilbert faced trouble in the second after surrendering another leadoff single and hitting two consecutive batters to load the bases. However, he settled down and recorded two clutch outs to escape the jam. Shenandoah added to its lead in the bottom half when Scott Wilson singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a Padilla RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.
Andrew Gload relieved Gilbert in the third and retired the side in order. The Hornets kept the momentum going in their half of the inning, as Madagan and Pickett opened with singles before executing a double steal. Madagan then scored on a Jonathan Stokley sacrifice fly, making it 4-0.
Gload worked through a walk in the fourth without allowing a run. The Hornets added to their lead when Luke Keister led off the bottom of the inning with a double and later came around to score on a double-play ball, increasing the lead to 5-0.
Brian Ferreira entered in the fifth and retired the first two hitters before issuing a two-out walk. However, he induced a popout to end the inning. Liam Stewart took over in the sixth and breezed through the first two batters before issuing a four-pitch walk. He quickly rebounded, striking out the next hitter to end the frame.
In the seventh, Stewart worked around a walk and a hit-by-pitch, closing out the game with a strikeout to secure the 5-0 shutout victory.
UP NEXT
The Hornets are set to return to action on Sunday for a doubleheader against Wilkes University, pending weather conditions. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
#GoSUHornets
