WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team wrapped up their series with the fourth-ranked Lynchburg Hornets. The Hornets (25-14, 14-8) dropped the final conference game to Lynchburg 11-9 in what was a tale of two games. Lynchburg jumped out to a 9-0 lead after three innings, but Parker Farrington threw three scoreless innings for Shenandoah to help mount a comeback. The Hornets scored runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and ninth innings but ultimately fell to split the series.
Kyle Garrett, Brody Pickette, and Anthony Arrichiello all had two hits for Shenandoah, with both of Pickette's hits being doubles. Connor Houser and Haden Madagan each added doubles, while Pickette and Houser led the way with two RBI apiece. Farrington pitched three innings of relief, giving up three hits, no runs, and striking out three. Michael Meyers struck out three batters over 1.2 innings, giving up three hits and one run, as Shenandoah used eight pitchers throughout the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Blaine Griffin got the start and struggled with command, walking the first two batters before Lynchburg struck first with a three-run home run to left-center. After a double play recorded the first two outs, another walk and a second home run made it 5-0, forcing the Hornets to go to the bullpen and call on Dominic D'Ottavio. D'Ottavio walked the first batter he faced, but Pickette threw the runner out trying to steal second to end the inning.
In the bottom of the first, down 5-0, Jaime Padilla drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a single by Noah Cornwell, but an inning-ending double play ended the threat.
The second inning started better for D'Ottavio with a one-pitch out, but two walks led to Jake Holbert coming in. Holbert gave up a double and a single, making it 7-0. After another walk, Michael Meyers relieved Holbert, allowing a single that scored another run to make it 8-0. Shenandoah went quietly in the home half of the inning.
Meyers returned for the third, retiring two batters before allowing a single and a double to extend Lynchburg's lead to 9-0. Shenandoah managed two runners in scoring position in the bottom half but could not score.
Over the next three innings, Parker Farrington entered and kept Lynchburg off the board, holding them to just three hits and a walk. Shenandoah started the comeback in the fourth. Pickette walked, Madagan doubled, and after an Arrichiello groundout and a Houser sacrifice fly, Shenandoah made it a 9-2 game.
In the bottom of the fifth, Garrett singled and moved to second on an error. Pickette followed with a double, scoring Garrett to make it 9-3.
In the sixth, Arrichiello singled, and with two outs, Brody Bower delivered an RBI single, cutting it to 9-4.
Joe Gleason relieved Farrington and recorded two quick outs before walks and a single loaded the bases. Brian Ferreira came in and induced a lineout to escape the jam. In the bottom of the seventh, Garrett singled and Cornwell reached on a fielder's choice. Pickette doubled in Garrett, and Houser's double scored both Cornwell and Pickette to make it a 9-7 game.
In the eighth, Lynchburg got two runs back after a leadoff double and single put runners at the corners. Orion Marshall relieved Ferreira, and despite a fielder's choice getting one out at the plate, another single extended the lead to 11-7. Shenandoah got a single from Padilla in the bottom half, but a double play ended the inning.
Down to their final three outs, Shenandoah saw Cornwell walk but then get erased on a double play. Madagan walked, Arrichiello singled, and Brady Morrell delivered a pinch-hit single to load the bases. Madagan scored on a wild pitch, and Matthew Atchley drew a walk to bring home another run, making it 11-9, but Lynchburg secured the final out to take the victory and series split.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will play their final regular-season game on Tuesday, recognizing their seniors before a non-conference game against Elizabethtown. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Shenandoah will host a first-round ODAC playoff series, but their final seeding and opponent are yet to be determined.
#GoSUHornets
