DANVILLE, Va. – Shenandoah University wrapped up its weekend series with the Averett Cougars on Saturday afternoon. The Hornets (15-6, 7-1) swept the Cougars with a dominant 15-7 victory. Shenandoah took an early 3-0 lead before Averett responded with four runs in two innings to pull ahead. The Cougars added one more run before the Hornets mounted a comeback, scoring six straight runs and adding six more insurance runs in the ninth.
Parker Farrington started on the mound, pitching the first three innings. Jake Holbert followed with three strong innings, earning his second win of the season. The first-year pitcher did not allow a hit, struck out two, and walked two batters. Jackson Sherman contributed a scoreless, hitless frame before Orion Marshall closed out the final two innings to secure the save.
Offensively, Kyle Garrett led the charge, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Jaime Padilla went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs, including a home run. Noah Cornwell, Haden Madagan, Carl Keenan, and Matthew Atchley each contributed two hits. The Hornets amassed 18 hits on the afternoon, with eight different players recording an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
With one out in the first inning, Kyle Garrett laced his third double of the series and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Noah Cornwell followed with another extra-base hit to drive in Garrett, giving the Hornets an early 1-0 lead. After a walk to Brody Pickette, Haden Madagan singled to left, scoring Cornwell and moving Pickette to third. Carl Keenan then roped the third double of the inning, bringing in Pickette and extending the lead to 3-0. Averett managed to escape further damage by recording the final out of the inning.
Parker Farrington started for the Hornets and allowed back-to-back singles to open the bottom of the first. A fielder's choice plated the Cougars' first run, but Farrington limited the damage, keeping Shenandoah ahead 3-1.
In the second inning, Garrett was hit by a pitch with two outs but was left stranded at first after Cornwell's deep fly out to the warning track. Farrington returned to the mound and surrendered a lead off double and a walk. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position before another double tied the game at 3-3. Averett then took a 4-3 lead with a third double in the inning before Farrington recorded the final out.
Madagan reached on an error with two outs in the third and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but the Hornets left another runner on base. Farrington allowed a lead off walk and a single in the bottom half but worked out of the jam to keep the deficit at 4-3.
In the fourth inning, Padilla drew a two-out walk, and Garrett singled to left-center, but Cornwell's deep drive was tracked down by the outfielder to end the threat. Michael Meyers took over on the mound and issued a lead off walk, followed by a single, putting two runners on with no outs. Another walk loaded the bases before Jacob Holbert entered in relief. Holbert walked the first batter he faced, extending Averett's lead to 5-3. However, he quickly settled in, inducing a fly out and a double play to limit the damage.
Shenandoah tied the game in the sixth. With two outs, Jaime Padilla launched a home run to left-center, cutting the deficit to 5-4. Garrett then walked, and Cornwell laced a single through the right side, allowing Garrett to score from first to tie the game. Pickette doubled to put two runners in scoring position, but the Hornets were unable to take the lead. Holbert returned for his third inning and retired the Cougars in order for the first time all game.
The Hornets reclaimed the lead in the seventh. With one out, Keenan singled and stole second. Atchley followed with an RBI single to right, scoring Keenan and putting Shenandoah ahead 6-5. Atchley then stole second before Christian Carver was hit by a pitch. Padilla delivered a clutch double over the shortstop's head, bringing in Atchley and advancing Carver to third. Garrett followed with an RBI single to right, scoring Carver. As the throw got away from the catcher, Padilla also came home, giving Shenandoah a 9-5 advantage.
Sherman took the mound in the bottom of the seventh and, after issuing a walk, retired the next three batters in order. In the eighth, Averett cut into the lead with a two-run home run. Ryan Seifert walked the first batter he faced before surrendering the homer, making it 9-7. Braden Landis then hit the only batter he faced before Orion Marshall came in to shut down the threat.
The Hornets put the game out of reach in the ninth. Atchley, Carver, Padilla, and Garrett hit four consecutive singles to add a run. Cornwell reached on a fielder's choice to bring in another run before Pickette's ground out plated another. Connor Houser then hit a sacrifice fly, and Madagan crushed a two-run homer, sealing the 15-7 victory. Marshall returned to the mound and retired the Cougars in order to close out the win.
UP NEXT
The Hornets have a busy week ahead. Marymount comes to Winchester on Monday for a non-conference match up, followed by a conference road game at Bridgewater on Tuesday. Shenandoah then returns home for a weekend series against Hampden-Sydney.
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