Baseball Sweeps Ospreys

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Shenandoah University baseball team completed its first weekend of play Sunday afternoon by sweeping a non-league doubleheader from Richard Stockton (N.J.).

SU (3-1) took game one 6-0 on the strength of a complete game one-hitter from junior Greg Van Sickler before getting both hitting and pitching from sophomore Cory Nelson in the nightcap.

In his first action on the mound since March of last year, Nelson earned the game two victory and also hit his first home run of the season. He was 3 for 3 with three RBI at the plate.

The Hornets were 11-7 victors in game two.

Junior Kevin Brashears continued his strong start to the spring by going 2 for 2 with a pair of RBI in that second game.

In the opener, Van Sickler struck out six and walked just two in earning his first victory of the season. He faced the minimum 15 batters through the first five innings and lost his no-hit bid when the Ospreys had leadoff double in the sixth.

Following a walk, Van Sickler retired the next three batters to get out of trouble.

Nelson went 4 1/3 innings to earn the win with three strikeouts against five hits and three walks in the nightcap. Senior Jake Yocum bailed Nelson out of a one out, runners on second and third situation by striking out the first two batters he faced.

Freshman Keaton Neeb caught both ends of the double-dip and had a combined three runs scored in the two contests.

Complete box scores should be available later Sunday evening.

SU travels to Bridgewater on Wednesday.