FERRUM, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team traveled to Ferrum on Saturday for an ODAC doubleheader, marking the final time the Hornets will make the trip to Ferrum in the regular season. The Hornets (20-12, 11-6) dropped both contests to the Panthers, falling 4-2 in game one and 11-9 in a high-scoring game two.
Game One
The Hornets jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and maintained the advantage until the bottom of the sixth, when Ferrum rallied with four unanswered runs. Shenandoah added a run in the ninth, but the comeback fell short in a 4-2 defeat.
Joey Mitchell started on the mound, going 6.0 innings and allowing four hits, two runs, one walk, and striking out four. Offensively, the Hornets were limited to four hits. Jaime Padilla led the way, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI. Kyle Garrett and Brody Pickette each contributed a hit, with Pickette also tallying an RBI and a walk.
Scoring Summary
In the top of the first, Garrett doubled with one out, stole third, and scored on Pickette's single up the middle. However, Pickette was thrown out attempting to steal second, ending the inning.
Mitchell kept Ferrum off the board until the sixth. After a lead off infield single and two more base hits loaded the bases, the Panthers tied the game on a fielder's choice and took the lead on a sacrifice fly. A base running mistake by Ferrum allowed the Hornets to escape further damage.
Ferrum added another run in the seventh off reliever Brian Ferreira, who allowed a hit batter to score following a single. Anthony Arrichiello came on in relief and stranded a runner at third to end the inning. The Panthers added a final insurance run in the eighth, with Jake Holbert also seeing time on the mound.
Padilla led off the ninth with a solo home run to cut the deficit to 4-2, but three straight outs ended the Hornets' rally.
Game Two
The second game featured more offense but resulted in an 11-9 loss for Shenandoah despite outhitting Ferrum 17-14.
Kyle Garrett went 5-for-6 with three runs scored, three RBIs, and two doubles. Jaime Padilla and Haden Madagan each went 3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored. Madagan drove in five runs. Noah Cornwell added two hits, a double, a run, and an RBI, while Carl Keenan contributed two hits and a walk. Seven different pitchers combined for nine strikeouts, including Liam Stewart, who struck out the side in the eighth.
Scoring Summary
The Hornets threatened in the first inning with singles from Padilla and Garrett but were held scoreless after a double play. Ferrum took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning on three straight two-out singles.
In the third, Padilla and Garrett singled before a sacrifice bunt by Pickette moved them into scoring position. Madagan followed with a two-RBI single to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead. Garrett added another run in the fifth after scoring on a Madagan single to make it 3-1.
Ferrum exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on four hits and two Shenandoah errors. The inning included three walks, a hit-by-pitch, and multiple pitching changes. When the dust settled, Ferrum led 9-3.
The Hornets responded in the seventh with RBI hits from Madagan, scoring Pickette and Cornwell to make it 9-5. However, Ferrum regained those two runs in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back sacrifice flies.
Shenandoah rallied in the eighth. Harrison Madagan singled, Padilla doubled, and Garrett followed with a two-RBI double. Cornwell added a third double in the inning to bring in Garrett, narrowing the score to 11-8.
In the ninth, Keenan led off with a single but was erased on a double play. Padilla walked, and Garrett delivered his fifth hit of the game—another double—to score Padilla and make it 11-9. Pickette walked to bring the go-ahead run to the plate, but the Panthers secured the final out to complete the sweep.
Up Next
Shenandoah continues its road stretch with a non-conference matchup against No. 12 Penn State Harrisburg in Harrisburg, Pa., on Monday.
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