WINCHESTER, Va. - The Dickinson baseball team watched an early lead evaporate over the middle innings as the No. 18 Shenandoah University Hornets picked up an 11-2 non-conference win on Wednesday afternoon at Bridgeforth Field. 

Both teams would muster a base runner in the first as Kenny Tagliareni was hit by a pitch to start the game and Frankie Ritter drew a free pass against Ethan Hamilton, but neither side would get on the board. 

A scoreless second gave way to the third where the Red and White would get on the board thanks to a Tagliareni two-run homer off of Mike Verzaleno plating Lukas Atsalis who reached on a walk. Tyler Scaff wrapped up the inning with a grounder to second. A hit batsman and a fielding miscue put two in scoring position for Kyle Lisa with two gone. He would give the Hornets their first run of the contest as a single up the box scored Kooper Anderson to make it 2-1 after three.

The top of the fifth inning saw Chase Weller work a one-out walk, but get leftover at first as Tagliareni flew out to center to retire the side. Shenandoah struck for six during the home half with Ryan Clawson and Pearce Bucher each providing two-run hits to chase Hamilton from the contest. Unfortunately, for the Red and White Jake Birnbaum was greeted rather rudely as Haden Madagan smacked a two-run homer to extend the lead to 7-2 through five.

In the following frame a wild pitch, bases-loaded walk, and a two-run single by Madagan to left accounted for four runs to stretch the Hornets advantage to 11-2.

Dickinson had a chance to chip away at the deficit in their next plate appearance as a Kaden Sigmon single and Tom Gannaway walk put two on with no one out. However, Ayden Shadle was able to pitch out of trouble thanks to a double-play along with a fly-out to set down the Devils.

Andrew Mazzone and Atsalis would collect hits over the last two frames, but were unable to come home as Weller went down looking to end the game.

W - Brian Ferreira (1-0) | L - Ethan Hamilton (0-1)

On-Deck Circle

Dickinson (0-4) will go in search of their first win of the season on Saturday when they host Penn State Mont Alto in their home opener. First pitch is set for 11 a.m., with game number two to start approximately 30 minutes later.