Batting
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Top-seeded Shenandoah University is now one win away from the 2015 ODAC Baseball Championship after defeating third-seeded Randolph-Macon 3-2 in 12 innings Friday night.
Senior Daniel Freshley drilled a bases loaded single into right center with one out in the bottom of the 12th to send the Hornets (26-7-1) past Macon (24-8).
Freshley's walkoff hit, the second of the day for SU, plated Joe Coleman from third.
Coleman led off the SU 12th by reaching on an error, and after moving into scoring position when Billy Arens was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a John Wilt sacrifice bunt.
The Yellow Jackets then elected to intentionally walk Michael Paul, setting the stage for Freshley to get the game-winning RBI.
Freshley laced his single into deep right center, allowing Coleman to trot home with the Hornets second walkoff win of the day.
SU had put itself in position to play this winners bracket final by beating Bridgewater 4-3 on a J.J. McDaniel bases loaded single.
The win over the 'Jackets also gives Shenandoah the day off Saturday and sends the squad into a 1 p.m. Sunday championship versus the remaining team in the tournament.
Roanoke, Virginia Wesleyan and Randolph-Macon will all battle beginning Saturday morning at 9 a.m. for the right to face SU – Roanoke faces VWC in that 9 a.m. game with the winner taking on Macon at 12:30.
The winner of that contest will have to beat Shenandoah twice to claim the 2015 title.
Coach Kevin Anderson's Hornets rallied from two one-run deficits in the game, including a Wilt two-out, RBI single in the 10th.
Senior Matt Riegler (2-1), who pitched the final 2 2/3 innings in relief of junior Ryan Mossman, got the win. Riegler allowed one hit and struck out two.
Mossman scattered eight hits and allowed two runs (one earned) and three walks against seven strikeouts.
Shenandoah starting pitchers Michael Scimanico and Mossman pitched 18 1/3 of a possible 21 innings and allowed just two earned runs.