WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University baseball team took a break from conference play to welcome the No. 7-ranked Salisbury University Sea Gulls to Winchester. The Hornets (19-10, 10-4 ODAC) fell to Salisbury by a final score of 10–3.
Offensively, the Hornets managed five hits, led by Brody Pickette who went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Connor Houser recorded the only extra-base hit for Shenandoah, going 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Haden Madagan and Christian Carver collected the other hits. Joey Mitchell got the start and went 5.2 innings, allowing six hits, five runs (one earned), striking out seven, and issuing two walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Joey Mitchell opened the game on the mound and, after recording the first out, gave up a double. Following a strikeout, Salisbury struck first with a single up the middle to make it 1–0. After issuing a walk, Mitchell ended the inning with a strikeout. In the bottom of the first, Kyle Garrett drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Pickette also walked, but Salisbury ended the inning with a fielder's choice.
Mitchell gave up a lead off double in the second but then retired the next three batters. Carl Keenan drew a one-out walk in the bottom half, but a double play ended the inning with the Hornets still trailing 1–0.
In the third, Mitchell retired the side in order with a fly out and two strikeouts. Shenandoah then grabbed the lead. Jaime Padilla walked with one out, and Kyle Garrett reached on a sacrifice bunt and an error. A fielder's choice put runners on the corners. Pickette then singled to tie the game at 1–1, moving Cornwell to third and himself to second. Houser followed with a double down the left-field line, scoring both runners to make it 3–1.
Mitchell kept the Sea Gulls quiet in the fourth, working around a two-out double with his fifth strikeout. The Hornets were retired in order in their half.
In the fifth, Mitchell hit the lead off batter but erased him on a double play. He ended the inning with another strikeout. The Hornets again went down in order in the bottom of the inning.
Mitchell returned for the sixth and got the first out before allowing another double. After a second out, an error placed runners on the corners. A single and a walk loaded the bases, cutting the lead to 3–2. Jake Holbert entered in relief and gave up a single that deflected off a glove, scoring two runs. A double to left scored two more, giving Salisbury a 6–3 lead. Pickette recorded his second hit in the bottom of the inning, but a double play ended the threat.
Dominic D'Ottavio came in to finish the sixth and stayed on in the seventh. He worked around a hit-by-pitch and a walk to keep it a 6–3 game. The Hornets threatened in the bottom half with back-to-back singles from Madagan and Carver, but both were stranded in scoring position.
Brian Ferreira took over in the eighth, giving up a lead off single but retiring the next three to leave a runner stranded. The Hornets were again retired in order in the bottom of the eighth.
In the ninth, Ferreira allowed a lead off single, and a second single following a stolen base made it 7–3. A sacrifice bunt error allowed another run to score. Ayden Shadle relieved Ferreira and recorded one out before John Richmond took over. Salisbury executed a double steal, and Richmond recorded a strikeout for the second out. However, a single to right-center brought in two more runs before the runner was caught stealing to end the inning with Salisbury up 10–3.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Hornets were retired in order, and Salisbury secured the win.
UP NEXT
Shenandoah is scheduled to return to ODAC play tomorrow against Bridgewater College, with first pitch set for 4 p.m. However, due to potential weather concerns, the game may be moved to Wednesday. Stay tuned to suhornets.com for any schedule updates or changes.
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