Winchester, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team rallied twice against Washington and Lee before sealing a dominant 19-6 victory in the seventh inning, capped off by Carl Keenan's game-ending grand slam. The Hornets (10-5, 2-1 ODAC) exploded offensively, securing their second conference win in dramatic fashion.
Keenan led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with six RBIs two home runs, three runs scored, and a walk. Scott Wilson contributed with a go-ahead homer, while Christian Carver added a 3-for-4 performance with three runs scored and two RBIs. Brody Pickette also starred, finishing 2-for-2 with three runs scored, two RBIs, and a double. Noah Cornwell chipped in with a triple, two RBIs, and two runs scored.
On the mound, Orion Marshall pitched two scoreless innings, striking out four batters and halting the Generals' momentum. Jacob Holbert earned his first collegiate win with a strikeout, and Jacob Gilbert closed out the game in the seventh, allowing just one hit.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Generals struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning against Anthony Arrichiello, who worked out of a bases-loaded jam. Shenandoah was held scoreless in the bottom half, erasing a Cole Ambrosius single with an inning-ending double play.
In the second, Joe Gleason took over on the mound but struggled with command, walking the bases loaded. A double play brought in another run, and the Generals extended their lead to 4-0. Shenandoah's offense remained quiet, despite Brody Pickette's two-out double.
Momentum shifted in the third when Orion Marshall entered in relief and struck out two batters. The Hornets responded in the bottom half, tying the game 4-4. Haden Madagan led off with a double, followed by a Pickette walk and a Keenan single to load the bases. Carver's two-run single and a costly W&L error allowed two more runs to score.
Dominic D'Ottavio took the mound in the fifth, surrendering a lead off home run and an unearned run after a throwing error, putting W&L back in front 6-4.
Shenandoah's bats exploded in the bottom of the sixth. Pickette walked, and Keenan launched a no-doubt home run to right-center, tying the game 6-6. Wilson followed with a solo shot to left-center, giving the Hornets a 7-6 lead. Carver, Ambrosius, and Cornwell all contributed RBI hits as Shenandoah blew the game open with seven runs in the inning, taking a commanding 11-6 lead.
In the seventh, Padilla laced a two-run double before a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch added three more runs. With the bases juiced, Keenan crushed a grand slam to right-center, invoking the mercy rule and securing the 19-6 victory.
UP NEXT
The Hornets continue their home stand this weekend, hosting Virginia Wesleyan for a Friday match up at 4 pm, followed by a Saturday series finale at noon.
#GoSUHornets
