SHEPHERD GOES OVER .500 MARK WITH WIN OVER SALEM

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University swept the three game series from Salem International with a 6-4 win over the Tigers at Fairfax Field in WVIAC baseball action on Sunday. Shepherd improves to 7-6 overall, 3-0 in WVIAC play. Salem International falls to 8-18, 0-3.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Junior outfielder Collin Brown (Durham, NC/Southern Durham HS/NC State) was hit-by-pitch, stole second, and moved to third on a ground out by junior third baseman Nicky Brown (Hedgesville, WV/Hedgesville HS/Potomac State). Collin Brown scored on a ground out by junior outfielder Joe Cook (Leesburg, VA/Loudoun County HS).

Salem tied the game in the third when Garrett Fitzgerald reached base on bunt single and later scored on a single by P.J. McDonald.

Shepherd took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Collin Brown was hit by-pitch, stole second, and moved to third on a throwing error. Nicky Brown smacked a triple to plate Collin Brown and later scored on a infield error.

The Tigers tied the game at 3-3 in the fourth on a two-run double by Jeff MacLeod.

Shepherd retook the lead in the fifth with a pair of runs. Joe Cook tripled and later scored on single up the middle by freshman first baseman Dirk Webb (Hedgesville, WV/Hedgesville HS). Webb eventually scored on an RBI-single off the bat of junior catcher David Toth (Lexington, KY/Lexington Christian Academy/Potomac State).

Shepherd extended its lead to 6-3 in the sixth via a solo blast by junior outfielder Ryan Harju (Purcellville, VA/Loudoun Valley HS/Hagerstown CC).

The Tigers earned their final tally in the ninth on a solo blast by P.J. McDonald.

Ram starter Scott Koscielniak (Severn, MD/ Old Mill HS/CCBC-Catonsville) fanned three and walked two in six innings en route to his third win of the year. Junior reliever Austin Bowie (Paeonian Springs, VA/Loudoun Valley HS) hurled two scoreless innings and Collin Brown worked the ninth to gain his first save as a Ram. Tiger starter John Cosentino took the loss.

Collin Brown, Toth, and Harju each had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.

MacLeod, McDonald, and Fitzgerald had two hits apiece to pace the Tigers.

The Rams return to action on Tuesday when they host Mansfield University for doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. at Fairfax Field.

Salem International 001 200 001 4 10 3

Shepherd 102 021 00X 6 10 1

Koscielniak, Bowie (7), C. Brown (9) and Toth; Cosentino, Deem (6) and Hamblin.v

HR: SIU- P. McDonald (9th, solo) SU - Harju (6th, solo)

WP: Koscielniak (3-1)

SV: C. Brown (1)

LP: Cosentino