WINCHESTER, Va. -- Undefeated pitcher Greg Van Sickler (Stephenson, Va./James Wood) and the Shenandoah University defense limited Virginia Wesleyan College's Marlins to just four hits on Monday as the host Hornets posted a 7-2 non-conference victory at Bridgeforth Field.

Shenandoah (20-1), ranked No. 1 and 6 in national polls, trailed the Marlins 2-0 going into the bottom of the third, as Jacob Pierce (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) connected for a two-run homer in the top of the inning.  His sixth homer of the season scored Brett Sutryk (Bath, N.Y./Bath-Haverling), who reached base earlier on an error.

But, that was it as far as hits were concerned for the Marlins the rest of the way.  Van Sickler and reliever Bryan Claudio (Forest, Va./Jefferson Forest) did not allow VWC another hit.  Claudio pitched through the final three innings for the save.  Van Sickler improved to 7-0, striking out six batters in six innings.

Virginia Wesleyan (12-16) put four pitchers on the mound, starting with Jimmy Bowman (Warrenton, Va./Nokesville Kettle Run), who took the loss.  He faced 24 batters in four innings, struck out one, walked three and allowed 10 hits and six earned run.  Jarret Hagwood (Suffolk, Va./Lakeland) pitched three innings of relief and Reid Hoffler (Chesapeake, Va./Suffolk Nansemond River) and Ty Tweedy (Yorktown, Va./Chesapeake Greenbrier Christian) followed.

Shenandoah broke the game open with a six-run third, banging out six hits in the inning, including a Clint DeHaven (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) home run.

VWC competes again on Saturday, Apr. 2, traveling to Greensboro, N.C. to face the Quakers of Guilford College in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.

--AMDG--