DANVILLE, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team took down top-seeded Averett University, snapping the Cougars' eight-game winning streak with a dominant 9-2 victory in the first game of their two-game set.
The Hornets (14-6, 6-1) put together an impressive offensive performance, tallying nine runs on 13 hits. Jaime Padilla and Kyle Garrett led the charge, each going 3-for-5 with two doubles while combining for seven runs scored. Garrett also drove in three runs, while Noah Cornwell continued his power surge with two home runs, bringing his weekly total to five. Cornwell is now tied for the NCAA Division III lead with 11 homers this season.
Shenandoah used a pitching-by-committee approach to secure the win. Jacob Gilbert (4-0) got the start, tossing three innings while allowing four hits, two runs, and striking out two. Liam Stewart followed with three strong innings of relief, giving up just one hit while fanning three. Joey Mitchell closed out the final three frames without allowing a hit, striking out three, and earning his third save of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets wasted no time getting on the board. Padilla led off the game with a double, followed by a Garrett double to drive him in for a 1-0 lead. With two outs, Brody Pickette laced a single to center field, scoring Garrett to make it 2-0.
Averett responded in the second inning, capitalizing on a pair of hits, a hit batter, and a double to tie the game at 2-2.
Shenandoah reclaimed the lead in the third when Garrett singled, stole second, and later scored on a Carl Keenan RBI single. Gilbert then retired the Cougars in order in the bottom half of the inning to maintain the 3-2 advantage.
The Hornets extended their lead in the fourth. Carver reached on an error and stole second before Padilla singled, but a base-running mishap nullified a run. Padilla quickly stole second and scored on Garrett's second double of the game. Cornwell followed with his fourth home run of the week, stretching the lead to 6-2.
Stewart took over on the mound in the fourth and shut down the Cougars, striking out two in a perfect frame.
Shenandoah continued applying pressure in the sixth. Padilla roped his second double of the game and swiped third before Garrett laid down a bunt, forcing a throwing error that allowed another run to score. Cornwell then crushed his second homer of the game—his fifth of the week—to put the Hornets up 9-2.
Mitchell took the ball in the seventh for the final three innings and delivered a flawless performance, retiring all nine batters he faced while striking out three to seal the victory and pick up his third save of the season.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will look to complete the series sweep against Averett on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for noon.
#GoSUHornets
