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SHEPHERD BASEBALL DOWNS ALDERSON-BROADDUS TO WIN WVIAC TITLE (5-13-2012)
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Sophomore catcher Ryan Messina (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) belted a pair of two-run homers to lead Shepherd University to a 10-5 win over Alderson-Broaddus in the WVIAC Baseball Tournament championship game at Point Stadium on Sunday.
Shepherd took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Senior first baseman Nathan Minnich (Waynesboro, PA/Waynesboro Area Sr.) belted a two-run double, moved to third on a bunt single by junior second baseman Chad Murphy (North Olmsted, OH/North Olmsted), and scored on a sacrifice fly by senior designated hitter Nash Hutter (Sunland, CA/Verdugo Hills/Glendale CC).
Messina belted a two-run homer and sophomore third baseman Brandon Coffey (Manassas, VA/Osbourn) added a solo blast in the third to give the Rams a 6-0 advantage.
Alderson-Broaddus plated three runs in the fifth . Mike Hackett hit a two-run single to key the rally.
Shepherd added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth on another two-run blast from Messina.
The Battlers cut the lead to 8-5 with a pair of runs in the sixth on a two-run double by Bobby McLaughlin.
Shepherd added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth. Scoville walked and scored on a fielder’s choice by Murphy and Murphy scored on a sacrifice fly by Hutter.
Kirby Clemens went 3-for-5 to lead Alderson-Broaddus.
Shepherd starter Andrew Gallant (Oak Ridge, NJ/Jefferson Township) (5.0 IP, 6 Ks, 5 BB, 3 ER) (6-3) picked up the win with sophomore Paul Hvozdovic (Herndon, VA/Herndon) (3.1 IP, 1 K, 0 BB) gaining the save. Alderson-Broaddus starter Paul Gonzales (7-6) took the loss. Shepherd improves to 30-20, while Alderson-Broaddus falls to 29-24. The Rams earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by virtue of their conference championship. The NCAA Atlantic Regional will take place May 17-20 at a site to be announced. The NCAA Division II Baseball Selection Show takes place tonight at 10 p.m.
The Johnstown Inclined Plane served as a backdrop at Point Stadium.
Andrew Gallant and Nathan Minnich in conversation.
Matt Copley pitched middle relief for the Rams.
Paul Hvozdovic picked up the save.
Travis Sluger in action for the Rams.
Nathan Minnich makes the game's final putout.
The scoreboard tells the story.
Hats off to the Rams.
Head coach Wayne Riser and Ryan Messina share a special moment.
Travis Sluger and Nathan Minnich accept the championship trophy from WVIAC Commissioner Barry Blizzard.
The Rams hoist the championship trophy.
2012 WVIAC Champions
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