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BURLINGTON, N.C. — Third-seeded Shenandoah University pounded out 22 hits in a 17-4 victory over No. 2 seed Methodist University on Friday during second day action at the USA South Conference Tournament at Burlington Athletic Stadium.
Shenandoah (31-6) remains undefeated in the tournament and will return to action on Saturday. Methodist (24-10) will face elimination later Friday when they take on sixth-seeded Averett University at approximately 5:15 p.m.
Methodist led 1-0 after one inning following Trey Sech's RBI single to right-center. Shenandoah's offense responded with three runs in the top of the second inning thanks to a pair of RBI singles and a fielding error.
Monarchs first baseman Tyler Younger cut Shenandoah's lead to 3-2 with a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the second. Yet, once again the Hornets answered in their next at-bat with five runs. Mike Smith had a two-run double down the left field line, and Keaton Neeb and Kevin Brashears added run-scoring singles. The Hornets plated one more run on an infield groundout.
Shenandoah limited Methodist to just two more runs the rest of the way while scoring at least two runs in four of the final five innings to pull away.
Hornets pitcher Greg Van Sickler improved to 7-1 with a 10-strikeout, complete-game performance.
Methodist, which used seven pitchers, struggled defensively. The Monarchs committed six errors and gave up three unearned runs.
Brashears, Jon Holcomb, Cory Nelson, Smith and Adam Delauter each had three hits for the Hornets, who smacked four home runs.
Shawn Lovette led Methodist with a 3-for-4 day with two runs scored an one RBI.
