WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team wrapped up the regular season by celebrating and recognizing the senior class of 2025 prior to their game against Elizabethtown College. The Hornets (25-15, 14-8) fell behind early and could not climb back, ultimately dropping a 16-3 decision in seven innings.
Jaime Padilla led the offense by going 2-for-2 with a home run, single, sacrifice fly, and two RBI. Daulton Stewart finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, while pinch-hit singles came from Dominic D'Ottavio, Brody Bower, and Matthew Atchley.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Dominic Pancione got the start but struggled with control, walking the lead off batter and hitting the next. The Blue Jays capitalized with a three-run home run, followed by another walk and hit batter. Ayden Shadle relieved Pancione, and though a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, Shadle limited the damage with a sacrifice fly, strikeout, and fly out. The Hornets trailed 4-0.
In the bottom half, Padilla led off with a solo shot to left-center to cut into the deficit. After Brody Pickette walked with two outs, Haden Madagan's drive to the gap was tracked down to end the inning.
Brian Ferreira entered in the second and gave up a leadoff single, followed by another single and hit batter to load the bases. Elizabethtown delivered a grand slam to make it 8-1. In the bottom of the frame, Stewart singled and advanced on an error. Scott Wilson reached on an error, and Carver walked to load the bases. Padilla drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, bringing it to 8-2.
John Richmond pitched the third and, after a single and error, allowed a run to score on a wild pitch. The Hornets loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but couldn't capitalize and trailed 9-2.
Ryan Seifert took the mound in the fourth and worked around a bases-loaded jam thanks to Anthony Arrichiello inducing an inning-ending double play. Padilla and Carver singled to start the bottom of the inning, but Elizabethtown held Shenandoah scoreless.
Arrichiello walked two batters to start the fifth and was replaced by Jake Holbert. A single and sacrifice fly plated one run before a three-run homer capped another four-run inning for the Blue Jays, making it 13-2. Shenandoah went down in order in the bottom of the fifth.
Joe Gleason took over in the sixth and allowed a run on a walk and wild pitch. The Hornets responded in the bottom half. Wilson walked, Bower singled, and Atchley followed with another single to load the bases. Cornwell drove in a run with a single, but a double play ended the threat, keeping it 15-3.
Carl Keenan pitched the seventh, allowing an unearned run on a sacrifice fly. In their final at-bat, D'Ottavio singled to lead off. Stewart reached on a fielder's choice, and Wilson walked to put two on with two outs, but the Hornets couldn't extend the game.
UP NEXT
The Hornets turn their attention to the ODAC Playoffs, where they will host Roanoke for a best-of-three series. The doubleheader is set for Friday with a 1 p.m. first pitch. If necessary, game three will be played Sunday.
#GoSUHornets
