WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team returned home following a conference sweep of Averett over the weekend for a non-conference match up with Marymount. The Hornets (16-6, 7-1) came from behind twice to secure a thrilling 8-7 walk-off victory over the Saints in the bottom of the ninth, extending their winning streak to four games.
Jaime Padilla and Connor Houser led the offensive charge, each going 3-for-4 at the plate. Padilla recorded two RBIs, two runs scored, a sacrifice fly, and a double. Houser tallied three singles, including the game-winning hit, along with a run scored, a walk, and an RBI. Kyle Garrett added two RBIs, while Matthew Atchley and Christian Carver each drove in a run.
On the mound, Nick Bell started for the Hornets, pitching three innings and allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out three. Dominic D'Ottavio took over for the next two innings, surrendering three hits and two runs with one strikeout. Brian Ferreira followed with two innings of one-hit ball, striking out one, while Ryan Seifert closed out the final two innings, allowing two hits and no runs to earn his first win of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Bell opened the game by striking out the first batter on a full count before giving up a single. After another strikeout, a failed pick off attempt allowed the runner to advance to second. A single brought the runner home, giving Marymount a 1-0 lead. The Hornets went down in order in the bottom of the first.
The Saints extended their lead to 2-0 in the second inning with back-to-back singles. After a strikeout, Marymount attempted a double steal. Though the runner at second was thrown out, the run from third crossed the plate before the tag, adding another tally for the Saints. The Hornets picked up their first hit of the game in the bottom half of the inning—a one-out single from Houser—but he was left stranded on second.
In the third, Marymount pushed the lead to 3-0 with consecutive singles and a stolen base, setting up a sacrifice fly to center. Another single put two runners on, but a heads-up play from Brody Pickette led to a rundown, allowing the Hornets to record two outs and end the inning.
Shenandoah responded in the bottom of the third. Christian Carver doubled with one out, followed by a Padilla single to move him to third. Garrett then laced a double down the left-field line, scoring both Carver and Padilla to cut the deficit to 3-2.
D'Ottavio took the mound in the fourth and recorded an out before allowing a walk, a single, and an error that led to another Marymount run. However, he limited the damage, stranding two runners.
The Hornets roared back in the bottom of the fourth. Houser picked up his second hit of the game, followed by a walk to Haden Madagan and an error that loaded the bases. A fielder's choice from Atchley brought home one run before Carver's ground out plated another, tying the game at 4-4. Padilla then delivered a clutch double to left-center, scoring Atchley and giving Shenandoah a 5-4 lead. Garrett reached on an error, allowing Padilla to score from second and extend the lead to 6-4.
In the fifth, Marymount cut the deficit to 6-5 with an RBI single. In the bottom half, the Hornets threatened when Pickette was hit by a pitch and Houser walked, but a strikeout and double play ended the inning.
Blaine Griffin started the sixth but issued two walks before Ferreira took over in relief. After walking the bases loaded, a fielder's choice tied the game at 6-6. An error allowed another run to score, giving Marymount a 7-6 advantage.
Scott Wilson led off the bottom of the sixth with a single and moved to second on Carver's sacrifice bunt. Padilla followed with a single, but a double play ended the threat.
Ferreira settled in during the seventh, keeping Marymount off the scoreboard. The Hornets nearly tied the game when Pickette doubled with one out, but he was left stranded.
Seifert entered in the eighth and retired the Saints in order. Shenandoah capitalized in the bottom half, as Keenan and Wilson drew walks before Carver executed a sacrifice bunt to move them into scoring position. Padilla lifted a deep fly ball to right field, allowing Keenan to tag up and score, tying the game at 7-7.
Seifert continued his strong performance in the ninth, allowing two singles but erasing the threat with a pick off at second base.
In the bottom of the ninth, Pickette drew a one-out walk and stole second. Jack Berinato entered as a pinch runner, setting the stage for Houser. Houser delivered with a single up the middle, and Berinato raced home, sliding in safely ahead of the throw for the walk-off win.
UP NEXT
The Hornets have a busy week ahead, beginning with a road conference match up against Bridgewater tomorrow, followed by a weekend home series against Hampden-Sydney on Saturday.
#GoSUHornets
