WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team wrapped up its weekend series with the Guilford Quakers by bouncing back to win the second game, 9–4, and earn a series split. The Hornets (19–9, 10–4 ODAC) were led offensively by Jaime Padilla, Kyle Garrett, and Haden Madagan, who each recorded two hits. Padilla added two RBI and a run scored, Garrett drove in three and scored once, and Madagan contributed an RBI and a run. Shenandoah totaled six extra-base hits in the game, including five doubles and a triple from Noah Cornwell. Garrett led the way with two doubles.
On the mound, Jacob Gilbert got the start and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out two and walking three. Jake Holbert followed with 1.1 innings of relief, giving up two hits, striking out two, and walking one. Braden Landis earned the win with 3.1 dominant innings, surrendering just one hit and striking out five. Seamus Patenaude made his collegiate debut in the ninth, recording one out but allowing two hits, three runs, and two walks. Orion Marshall then closed out the game by recording the final two outs, including one strikeout.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jacob Gilbert got the start for the Hornets on the mound and, after surrendering a lead off walk, retired the next three Quakers in order with no damage. In the bottom of the inning, Padilla drew a leadoff walk, but after a called third strike to Garrett, Padilla was thrown out at second. Noah Cornwell was hit by a pitch, but Pickette was robbed of a base hit down the line to end the inning.
In the second, Gilbert hit the first batter he faced, but he was erased trying to steal as Pickette threw him out. Gilbert recorded a strikeout and a fly out to end the inning. In the bottom half, Connor Houser picked up the first hit of the game and advanced to second on an error. Anthony Arrichiello reached on an error, and Haden Madagan's single loaded the bases, but a Quakers double play ended the threat and kept the game scoreless.
Gilbert cruised through the third, retiring the Quakers in order. The Hornets were also set down in order in the bottom of the frame.
Guilford struck first in the fourth after back-to-back walks. A fielder's choice erased the lead runner at third, but a single to center put runners on the corners and brought in a run. Jake Holbert took over on the mound and recorded the final two outs. The Hornets were retired in order in their half of the fourth.
In the fifth, a lead off single moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Another single put runners on the corners before a strikeout gave the Hornets the second out. Holbert then walked the bases loaded, prompting Braden Landis to enter the game. Landis escaped the jam with a clutch out, keeping the deficit at one. In the bottom half, Shenandoah tied the game at 1–1 when Christian Carver singled to lead off the inning, though he was erased on a fielder's choice. Scott Wilson walked, and Padilla extended his hitting streak to 22 games with a single to right center to score Madagan. Kyle Garrett blasted a double off the wall to score Wilson and Padilla, giving the Hornets a 3–1 lead heading to the sixth.
Landis breezed through the Quakers in the top of the sixth. In the bottom half, the Hornets tacked on five more runs. Cole Ambrosius entered as a pinch hitter and doubled to center. Carver was hit by a pitch, then Madagan doubled to score Ambrosius. Kemper Omps was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Carver scored on Padilla's sacrifice fly, and Garrett doubled down the line to plate Madagan. Omps scored on a balk, and Cornwell blasted a triple to left center to bring home Garrett and cap the five-run frame, giving Shenandoah an 8–1 lead.
Landis remained dominant, giving up just one hit over the seventh and eighth innings. The Hornets added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Luke Keister reached on an error, Padilla singled, and with two outs, Brody Pickette hit a ground-rule double to center to score Keister and make it 9–1.
In the ninth, Seamus Patenaude made his collegiate debut and got the first out before surrendering back-to-back singles and back-to-back walks to load the bases and force in a run. Orion Marshall was called on to finish the game. He induced a grounder, but the Hornets were only able to get one out, and an error allowed two more runs to score. Marshall then struck out the final batter to seal the 9–4 victory.
UP NEXT
The Hornets return to the field on Monday for a non-conference game against Salisbury. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
#GoSUHornets
