Baseball Opens with Split

Drop Nightcap 5-2 in 8 innings after Winning Opener 3-1

For More Information, Contact: Scott Musa, 540.665.5417

WINCHESTER , Va. – The SU baseball team opened its 2002 campaign Monday afternoon by splitting its non-league doubleheader with Juniata College . SU (1-1) lost game two 5-2 in eight innings after taking the lidlifter 3-1.

Junior Seth Foster (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield) dominated on the mound in game one, allowing just two hits and the lone run while walking three and striking out 11 in the complete game victory. Foster (1-0) struck out at least one batter in every inning but one and struck out the side in the fourth.

The Hornets helped out Foster’s cause in the sixth by scratching together two runs on one hit. Freshman Brent Meixsell (Saylorsburg, Pa./Pleasant Valley) led off the frame with a walk and came home on an RBI triple by junior centerfielder Rodney Wooden (Baltimore, Md./Woodlawn). Wooden gave SU the lead one batter later when he trotted home on third baseman Matt MacDonald’s (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) sacrifice fly.

Shenandoah’s first run came in the fourth when catcher Chris Zaia (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) drove in Wooden with a two out double into the right field corner.

Wooden and senior Jafar Alexander (San Jose, Calif./Wilcox) each had two hits in the victory.

Two errors combined with just four hits prevented SU from gaining the doubleheader sweep in game two. After taking a 1-0 lead on John Cowell’s (Devon, Pa./Conestoga) triple that scored Tommy Delaney (Fairfax Station, Va./Hayfield) in the third, SU lost the lead in the sixth.

Juniata seized control of the game when Tim Dobson led off the frame with a solo home run to centerfield and then Tim Keeley reached on a Cowell error at short. Pinch runner Eric Albright was sacrificed to second and scored on Paul Berry’s single to left.

Shane Lloyd (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield) tied the game in the bottom half of the inning with a RBI double that scored Cowell, but the Eagles (1-1) snuffed out the rally by striking out MacDonald.

Shenandoah was able to get a runner in scoring position with two outs against reliever Eric Hatten in the seventh, but Hatten was able to induce Cowell into an inning ending fielder’s choice.

Juniata then regained the lead for good in the top of the eighth as they touched freshman reliever Tyler Gorman (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield) for three runs (all earned) on two hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning.

Ryan O’Donnell wrapped up the Juniata win by pitching a scoreless eighth.

Box Score Game 1

Box Score Game 2

SU is action again Tuesday afternoon at Eastern Mennonite. First pitch is at 2:00 .

Shenandoah University offers 16 intercollegiate sports, eight for men and eight for women. For further information, please contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 540-665-5417 or visit our web site at http://www.su.edu/athletics. For Dixie Conference Information, please visit the Dixie Conference home page: http://www.dixieconference.com.

Shenandoah University is a comprehensive Level V private university with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students in five schools: School of Arts & Sciences, Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business, Shenandoah Conservatory, Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy and the School of Health Professions (Athletic Training, Nursing, Physician Assistant, Respiratory Care, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy). The University offers more than 60 programs of study at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels.