WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team returned to action, hosting the Mr. V Memorial Classic with Immaculata, Cortland, and Wittenberg. In the opening game, the Hornets (7-2) delivered an explosive offensive performance against the Mighty Macs of Immaculata University, winning 22-4. Jaime Padilla led the charge with four hits, including three doubles and four RBIs. Noah Cornwell went 2-for-5 with a deep home run and four RBIs, while Connor Houser and Liam Cook each contributed two hits. With this victory, head coach Kevin Anderson is now just one win shy of 800 career victories, combining his tenures at James Madison University and Shenandoah.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Parker Farrington took the mound for the Hornets and worked around a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first, stranding all three runners. Shenandoah wasted no time in the bottom half, erupting for 10 runs. Padilla led off with a double, and Cornwell followed with an RBI single. After multiple hit batters and singles, the Hornets loaded the bases and capitalized on timely hits and defensive miscues. Luke Keister's two-run single and Cornwell's aggressive base running helped cap off a dominant first frame that saw 13 Hornets come to the plate.

Farrington allowed a run in the top of the second but escaped further trouble. Shenandoah quickly responded with five more runs. Carver was hit by a pitch, and Madagan walked before an error scored Carver. Padilla's second double of the game set the stage for Cornwell, who crushed a two-run homer to deep right, extending the lead to 15-1.

After a quiet defensive frame in the third, the Hornets added three more runs. Houser and Cook led off with singles, and after a Madagan single loaded the bases, a balk plated one run. Garrett's infield single added another before Padilla's RBI single stretched the lead to 18-1.

Farrington settled in, allowing just two base runners over his final two innings. Gilbert relieved him in the fifth and retired six straight batters over two innings of work. Padilla's third double of the day in the fifth plated another run, making it 19-1.

In the sixth, Omps walked, and Francis recorded his first collegiate hit. Ambrosius' double and Keenan's RBI single extended the lead to 22-1.

Ayden Shadle took over in the seventh and ran into trouble, allowing three runs on a pair of walks and a bases-loaded single. Jake Holbert entered in relief and induced a game-ending groundout to seal the dominant 22-4 victory.

Up Next

Shenandoah continues play in the Mr. V Memorial Classic with a packed Saturday slate. The schedule is as follows:

• 9:00 AM – Immaculata vs. Cortland
• 12:15 PM – Wittenberg vs. Immaculata
• 3:30 PM – Shenandoah vs. Wittenberg
• 6:45 PM – Shenandoah vs. Cortland