CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Shepherd University swept University of Charleston in WVIAC baseball doubleheader action at Charleston on Tuesday. The Rams gained a 2-1 victory in game one and added an 8-1 triumph in the nightcap.

 

The Rams took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning behind a two-run single by senior designated hitter Nash Hutter (Sunland, CA/Verdugo Hills/Glendale CC).

 

 

Sophomore pitcher Paul Hvozdovic (Herndon, VA/Herndon) (7.0 IP, 4 H, 4 Ks, 0 BB, 1 ER) went the distance and picked up the win to improve to 7-2. Alec Austin took the loss for Charleston to drop to 0-4.

 

After taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap, Shepherd plated five runs in the second to pull away. Senior shortstop Travis Sluger (Germantown, MD/Williamsport/Hagerstown CC), sophomore outfielder Aaron Scoville (Centreville, VA/Westfield), sophomore  catcher Ryan Messina  (St. James, NY/Smithtown East), and Hutter each drove in a run to highlight the rally.

 

Charleston got a run in the third on a solo homer by Igor Molina.

 

The Rams added a pair of runs in the sixth behind an RBI-single from sophomore second baseman Brandon Coffey (Manassas, VA/Osbourn) and a bases-loaded walk by Hutter.

 

Scoviile went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored to lead the Rams. Junior outfielder Jake Cook (Centreville, MD/Queen Anne’s) and junior second baseman Chad Murphy (North Olmsted, OH/North Olmsted) each added a pair of hits.

 

Nick Barnes had two hits to lead the Golden Eagles.

 

Senior starter Andrew Gallant (Oak Ridge, NJ/Jefferson Township) (1 ER, 3 K, 2 BB) scattered three hits over five innings to pick up the win to improve to 2-2. Senior reliever Justin Byrd (Mamora, NJ/Atlantic Cape CC) (3 Ks, 0 BB, 3 H) worked the final two innings. Dylan Saunders (0-3) took the loss for Charleston.

Shepherd improves to 19-11, 11-4 in WVIAC play, while Charleston falls to 14-16, 6-9. The Rams return to action on Friday when they travel to West Liberty for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.