GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah baseball team dropped an 11-8 non-conference game against the Shenandoah Hornets on Wednesday afternoon. The Falcons fell into an early 6-0 hole after the Hornets scored three runs in both the first and second innings. Messiah countered back with eight runs across the next two innings to take an 8-6 lead.
 
Messiah held a lead into the eighth inning, but the Hornets scored three in the eighth and added an insurance run in the ninth to claim the 11-8 comeback victory.
 
Messiah is back in action on Friday when they host the Albright Lions at 3:30 p.m. to kickoff their final conference series of the year.
 
Falcons Fall Behind
The Hornets scored three runs in both the first and second innings to build a 6-0 advantage through a frame and a half. Keegan Woolford drove home three runs during the first two innings, including a two-run homer in the bottom of the first, to pace the Shenandoah offense.
 
The Hornets scored all three of their runs in the second with two outs. First, Woolford singled to drive home a run and the very next batter, Luke Nussman, singled through the right side to drive home a pair and make it a 6-0 lead heading to the bottom of the second.
 
Big Innings Lead to Messiah Advantage
After being held scoreless in the first, Messiah plated five runs in the second to pull within one at 6-5. A single and a walk started the inning and after a fielder's choice put runners on the corners, Messiah began their hit parade. Four straight knocks plated a run each with Kasey Caras, Colt Price, Dalton Miller, and Trent Culver each earning RBI. Jarod Bingaman capped off the rally with a sacrifice fly to right field and Messiah pulled within one at 6-5.
 
Messiah kept their momentum going in the bottom of the third with three more runs on four hits. With one out, Chris LaRose scored on a wild pitch and Price followed with an RBI single to left. Price's second RBI of the game gave Messiah the lead at 7-6. Just moments later, the Falcons executed a double steal on a first and third play and Caras hustled home with Messiah's eighth run of the afternoon.
 
Hornets Get the Final Word
It looked as if those eight runs would be enough for the Falcons, as the Hornets scored just one in the fifth and were held scoreless in the sixth and seventh. Messiah led 8-7 heading into the eighth, but three Shenandoah runs in the eighth gave the Hornets a 10-8 advantage.
 
Messiah threatened in the eighth, but stranded two runners and the Hornets added an insurance run in the ninth on a bases loaded hit by pitch. The Falcons were unable to score in the ninth with a fly out to center field ending the game in favor of Shenandoah 11-8.
 
What's Up Next
Messiah will next take the field on Friday afternoon when they host the Albright Lions in the first game of a three-game conference series. First pitch for Friday's game is slated for 3:30 p.m. at the Starry Athletic Complex