ASHLAND, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team wrapped up its weekend series against No. 17 Randolph-Macon, narrowly falling 7-6 after a late-inning comeback by the Yellow Jackets. The Hornets (9-5, 1-1) were led offensively by Cole Ambrosius, who went 3-for-5 with a double and a two-run home run to tie the game at 4-4. Jaime Padilla and Brody Pickette also had multi-hit games, with Padilla finishing 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Pickette going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two walks. Haden Madagan and Noah Cornwell each contributed RBIs.
The Hornets utilized seven pitchers in the game, with Blaine Griffin getting the start and pitching two scoreless innings. Liam Stewart followed with two more innings before Nick Bell, Braden Landis, Ryan Seifert, Brian Ferreira, and Michael Meyers each took the mound. Meyers took the loss after the Yellow Jackets rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 7-6 lead. The Hornets threatened in the ninth but were unable to push across the tying run, dropping their first conference game of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Griffin got the start for Shenandoah and kept the Yellow Jackets off the board through two innings, allowing only two hits.
The Hornets did not record a hit until the third inning when Pickette led off with a single up the middle. Christian Carver followed with a bunt single to put two runners on, and Padilla loaded the bases with another bunt single. Cornwell then reached on a fielder's choice, giving Shenandoah a 1-0 lead.
Stewart took the mound in the third and fourth innings, issuing a walk but benefiting from Pickette throwing out a baserunner at second. Stewart retired the next four batters he faced.
Ambrosius doubled in the fourth, and Pickette drew a walk, but the Hornets were unable to extend their lead. The offense continued to threaten, with Cornwell walking in the fifth, but Shenandoah could not capitalize.
Nick Bell entered in the bottom of the fifth and struggled, allowing a double and single to put runners in scoring position. After recording one out, Bell surrendered another double, giving Randolph-Macon a 2-1 lead. Landis relieved Bell, inducing a ground out before walking a batter. However, a two-out single allowed another run to score, making it 3-1 before Seifert ended the inning.
The Hornets responded in the sixth when Ambrosius singled and stole second. After Pickette walked, Carver reached on another walk to load the bases. Padilla was hit by a pitch, bringing in a run to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, a hard line out by Liam Cook ended the inning.
Randolph-Macon quickly regained its two-run lead in the bottom of the sixth after a lead off double advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single up the middle, making it 4-2.
In the seventh, Cornwell led off with a walk and advanced to second on a ground out by Madagan. Connor Houser moved him to third with a deep fly ball to right field before Ambrosius launched a game-tying two-run home run, evening the score at 4-4. Ferreira entered in the bottom of the seventh and retired the Yellow Jackets in order on just 11 pitches.
Shenandoah took the lead in the eighth when Pickette singled up the middle. Carver reached on a throwing error while attempting a sacrifice bunt, allowing Pickette to advance to third. Padilla followed with an infield single, scoring Pickette and putting the Hornets ahead 5-4. Cook advanced both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt before Cornwell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Madagan then delivered a single up the middle, extending the lead to 6-4. However, the Hornets stranded the bases loaded.
Meyers took over in the bottom of the eighth and recorded the first out on a fly ball. After hitting a batter, he struck out the next hitter. However, a passed ball allowed the runner to advance before Meyers issued a walk. A dropped foul ball extended the inning, and the Yellow Jackets capitalized with back-to-back doubles, scoring three runs to reclaim a 7-6 lead.
In the ninth, Carl Keenan led off with a walk, but Pickette's sacrifice bunt attempt resulted in a pop-out. Brody Bower came in as a pinch hitter and moved Keenan to second before Randolph-Macon intentionally walked Padilla to set up a force play. Cook made solid contact but grounded out to second, ending the game and sealing the series split.
UP NEXT
The Hornets return home for a key week of conference play. Shenandoah will host Washington and Lee on Tuesday afternoon before welcoming Virginia Wesleyan for a Saturday doubleheader.
#GoSUHornets
