SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University pounded out 18 hits on the day en route to an 18-8 win over Fairmont State in WVIAC baseball action at Fairfax Field on Saturday.

 

Trailing 6-5, Shepherd plated six runs in the third inning to pull away for the victory. A two-run homer by sophomore outfielder Aaron Scoville (Centreville, VA/Westfield and a two-run double by sophomore third baseman Brandon Coffey (Manassas, VA/Osbourn) keyed the rally.

 

After the Falcons added a pair of runs in the fourth, the Rams added four runs to take a 15-8 lead. Shepherd got an RBI-single from senior first baseman Nathan Minnich (Waynesboro, PA/Waynesboro Area Sr.) and an RBI-double by home junior second baseman Chad Murphy (North Olmsted, OH/North Olmsted) to key the rally.

 

Minnich went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in. He belted a two-run homer in the second inning.

 

Murphy added three hits and drove in three runs, while Coffey, who hit a two-run homer in the fifth, drove in four runs.

 

Trevor Funk went 3-for-5 with three RBIs to lead the Falcons.

 

Senior reliever Justin Byrd (Mamora, NJ/Atlantic Cape CC) (2-2) gained the win for the Rams, while freshman reliever Brian Martin (Westminster, MD/Winters Mill) picked up the save. Fairmont State starter Ryan Fenwick (4-6) took the loss.

Shepherd improves to 26-15, 18-8 in WVIAC play, while Fairmont State falls to 18-22, 15-12. The Rams return to action on Tuesday when they host Glenville for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Notes: Minnich (19 homers) tied the single season mark for most home runs set by Charlie Drummond in 2004.