Shenandoah Baseball Splits Doubleheader with Widener

WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team returned to the diamond for its second weekend series, hosting Widener University for a doubleheader. The Hornets (5-1) split the series, winning the first game 1-0 before falling in the nightcap 6-2.

In game one, the Hornets managed only four hits, but an RBI from Liam Cook proved to be enough. Parker Farrington earned the start, pitching three innings to secure his first win of the season, while Anthony Arrichiello picked up his first save.

In the second game, the Hornets recorded nine hits, with Jaime Padilla going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate. Joey Mitchell started on the mound and was flawless through his first three innings. However, despite an early 2-0 lead, the Hornets were unable to maintain their advantage as Widener rallied to secure the victory. This marked the Pride's first win over Shenandoah in the series history.

Game One Recap

Farrington took the mound for Shenandoah following an impressive season debut the previous weekend. After allowing a leadoff single to center field, he responded with a strikeout and a successful pickoff at second base to end the inning. Haden Madagan singled to left center with two outs but was left stranded in the Hornets' home half of the inning.

In the second inning, Widener's leadoff batter reached base on an error, followed by a single to right field. With two runners in scoring position and no outs, Farrington remained composed, striking out one batter, inducing a groundout to short, and striking out another to escape the jam.

Brody Pickette led off the bottom of the second with a double to left field. Connor Houser advanced Pickette to third, setting up Cook's RBI triple to right field, giving the Hornets a 1-0 lead. Shenandoah attempted a suicide squeeze, but the after a strike out, Cook was thrown out trying to steal home.

Farrington allowed a two-out hit in the third but retired the next batter on a flyout to left field. The Hornets were set down in order in their half of the inning, maintaining their 1-0 lead.

Jacob Gilbert entered in relief in the fourth and retired the Pride in order. Noah Cornwell recorded a one-out single in the bottom of the frame, and Pickette was hit by a pitch to put two runners on, but both were stranded.

In the fifth, Gilbert allowed back-to-back walks before securing a popout. Arrichiello then relieved Gilbert with two outs and two runners on, recording the final out to preserve the Hornets' lead. Scott Wilson led off the bottom of the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Luke Keister, but he was left stranded.

Arrichiello continued in the sixth, allowing a one-out single but securing the final two outs with a flyout to right field. In the bottom half, Madagan drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch but was left in scoring position.

Arrichiello remained on the mound for the seventh, working around a one-out walk to seal the 1-0 victory and extend the Hornets' winning streak to five games.

Game Two Recap

Mitchell started on the mound for Shenandoah in game two and retired the Pride in order in the first inning. Padilla led off the bottom of the frame with a single up the middle, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Garrett, and scored on Pickette's single to left center, giving the Hornets an early 1-0 lead.

Mitchell continued his dominance, setting down the Pride in order through three innings. In the bottom of the third, Padilla singled again but was erased on a fielder's choice by Garrett. Madagan recorded his second hit of the game, and both runners advanced on stolen bases. Jonathan Stokley followed with an RBI single through the left side, extending the Hornets' lead to 2-0.

Andrew Gload replaced Mitchell in the fourth and allowed a leadoff double. An error put runners on the corners, but Pickette threw out a baserunner attempting to steal second for the first out. However, a combination of singles, errors, and a hit-by-pitch allowed Widener to tie the game at 2-2. Brian Ferreira entered in relief and hit the first batter he faced to tie the game at 2-2, before the Pride took a 3-2 lead on a sacrifice fly. Jackson Simko doubled in the bottom half, and Padilla collected his third hit of the game, but the Hornets could not push across the tying run.

Ferreira rebounded in the fifth, retiring the Pride in order with two strikeouts and a groundout. Shenandoah threatened with two outs in their half of the inning when Pickette was hit by a pitch and Houser drew a walk, but the Pride escaped the inning without allowing a run.

Liam Stewart took over on the mound in the sixth and issued a leadoff walk. Widener executed a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner, followed by an RBI double to right field, extending their lead to 4-2. A passed ball moved the runner to third, and a flyout to center led to another Widener run, making it 5-2. In the bottom half, Padilla doubled with two outs but was left stranded.

The Pride added an insurance run in the seventh, and the Hornets were retired in order to end the game.

UP NEXT

The Hornets will look to bounce back as they continue non-conference play when Juniata comes to Winchester for a doubleheader tomorrow.  

#GoSUHornets