WINCHESTER, Va. - Knocking off their first ranked opponent since 2023, the Washington and Lee University baseball team used a four-run fourth inning to take down seventh-ranked Shenandoah University 7-4 in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) midweek game on Thursday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In their previous meeting on March 13, then No. 1-ranked Shenandoah downed the Generals 8-6 in extra innings in Lexington with a two-run home run from Gavin Horning.
- Campbell Charneco got the Generals' (12-2, 6-8 ODAC) offense started as he singled to left field before Drew Larsen gave the visitors a 2-0 lead as he blasted a two-run home run to right center.
- The Hornets (18-7, 7-5 ODAC) had runners on the corners after Frankie Ritter and Horning reached base, Chandler Ballenger plated their first run as he drove in Ritter on a sacrifice fly. The Generals would get out of the jam as Charneco caught Horning stealing the next at-bat.
- In the top of the 4th inning, Jaden Keuhner and Mason Satterfield reached base on a walk and hit by pitch before moving to second and third on a Zach Senders sacrifice bunt. Paul Ramseur drove both of them in as he roped a double into the right field corner to put the Generals up 4-1.
- Jacob Jackson doubled to left field the next at-bat, driving in Ramseur from second to put W&L up by four. Jackson would come around to score two batters later as Larsen drove in his third run of the afternoon on a single to right field, giving the Generals a 6-1 lead.
- Shenandoah would strike in the bottom half of the 6th inning as Horning kicked off the inning with a double down the right field line. After an error and a walk, the Hornets had the bases loaded before Connor Houser wore a pitch to drive in Horning.
- Brody Pickette would drive in their third run of the game as he singled through the left side of the infield before Matt House reached on a fielder's choice to bring home Pearce Bucher to cut the Generals lead to two.
- The Generals added an insurance run in the top of the 9th as Charneco singled up the middle, bringing home Jonathan French to put the Blue and White up 7-4.
- Ben Sundell would shut the door in the bottom half of the frame as he struck out two batters to secure the upset win over the seventh-ranked Hornets.
W&L GAME NOTES
- The Generals move to 12-12 on the season and 6-8 in conference play. They earned their first ranked win since Mar. 18, 2023 where they defeated 14th-ranked Randolph-Macon College 8-3.
- Ethan Zulueta was 3-for-4 (.750) with a double and one walk, extending his hitting streak to 17 games. Drew Larsen led the team with three RBIs with a 2-for-5 (.400) effort at the plate with a two-run home run in the first inning.
- John Benner (2-2) picked up his second win of the season, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits with three strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work. Ben Sundell earned his first save of the season, pitching 3.2 shutout innings while retiring five batters including two in the final frame.
SHENANDOAH GAME NOTES
- The Hornets dropped their fourth straight game as they fell to 18-7 on the season and 7-5 in ODAC play.
- Pickette led the SU offense with a 2-for-4 (.500) effort at the plate with one RBI. Ritter, Horning, Ballenger and Keister each had one hit for the Hornets.
- Michael Meyers (2-1) was credited with his first loss of the season, allowing four runs on four hits with four strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.
UP NEXT
- The Generals are back in action on Saturday as they host Guliford College for an ODAC Doubleheader. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. at Cap'n Dick Smith Field with game two to follow.