WINCHESTER, Va. – Geoff Kimmel drove in four runs on four hits to lead the Wesley College baseball team to a 15-6 victory over No. 17 Shenandoah University on Sunday afternoon at Bridgeforth Stadium. The Wolverines improve to 28-14 on the season while the Hornets fall to 29-11.
A senior from Lawrenceville, N.J., Kimmel continued his hot hitting by going 4-for-5 with a double on the day. He was also issued his second intentional walk in as many days. The first baseman now has a CAC-leading 50 RBIs on the season, which breaks his career high after recording 47 as a sophomore in 2009. He also has 14 doubles on the year which matches a Wesley single-season record.
Wesley recorded 16 hits on the day, ruining Shenandoah's senior day. Jon Carlson also had three hits and two RBIs while Rob Benedict, Bryan Reshetar and Greg McKee all recorded multi-hit games. Benedict, Carlson and Sam Farnell also drove in two runs apiece.
DJ Keckler (7-3) went the distance on the mound for the Wolverines, allowing six earned runs on nine hits over nine innings while striking out six.
The Wolverines scored in bunches throughout the game, putting six runs on the board in the second, two in the third, four in the fourth and three more in the eighth.
Trailing 2-0 after the first inning, Wesley put a six spot on the scoreboard in the second despite recording just one hit. Steve Perone and Corey Jefferson were issued back-to-back one-out walks to start the rally and Benedict reached on an error to load the bases. Carlson and Morgan Rupp then drew two-straight free passes to score two runs and Kimmel drove in both Benedict and Carlson with a two-run double to give the Wolverines a 4-2 lead. Farnell then flew out to right field to score Rupp from third and Kimmel also scored on the play on a throwing error.
Another two runs were tacked on by Wesley in the third on a double steal attempt and an RBI single by Kimmel. Perone drew a walk to lead off the inning and Benedict advanced him to the opposite corner of the diamond with a single. Rob Benedict promptly stole second and Perone scored as the throw to second was wild. Benedict scored on Kimmel's single from third after he had gotten to third on Rupp's fielder's choice.
Benedict drove in two runs in the fourth and both Carlson and Kimmel also added RBIs in the frame as the Wolverines extended their lead to 12-5.
Keckler struggled on the mound for Wesley in the first two innings but settled down and did not allow a run until the Hornet added a run in the seventh. He got plenty of help from his defense as well as the Navy & White turned three double plays on the day and did not commit a single error.
On deck for Wesley is a 4:00 pm date with Gwynedd-Mercy on Tuesday, May 1 at Bob Reed Field. The Griffins come into the matchup with a 23-16 overall mark.