LYNCHBURG, Va. --- Sean Pokorak's three-run double in the fourth inning proved the difference as the University of Lynchburg held on to defeat Shenandoah University, 9-6, in the first game of super regional play of the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship at City Stadium on Friday afternoon.
Pokorak, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the fourth inning and later continued as the designated hitter, used that first at bat to put an exclamation point on a seven-run frame with a three-run double for a 9-1 advantage. Lynchburg (42-7) needed that buffer as Shenandoah (42-9) pitching shut down the Lynchburg's offense for the remainder of the contest.
SU clawed back into the game with two runs in the fifth and three in the seventh, but ODAC Pitcher of the Year Jack Bachmore shut the door over the final 2.1 innings to earn his 12th save of the year.
Zack Potts worked the first 6.2 for Lynchburg and earned the win to move to 11-0 on the season. He allowed six runs, but just three were earned thanks to a trio of Lynchburg errors. He scattered 10 hits and walked three while fanning five batters. Bachmore gave up two hits and walked a batter. He registered six of his seven outs via strikeout.
Jacob Faivre took the loss for Shenandoah, falling to 7-2 on the year. He gave up eight runs (seven earned) on four hits with an uncharacteristic six walks. He struck out seven batters in 3.1 innings on the hill. Jackson Sherman worked the balance of the game and allowed just one run on four hits in his 5.2-inning appearance. He walked three batters.
Pokorak was joined by fist baseman Eric Hiett with two hits in Lynchburg's lineup. Pokorak finished with three RBI, while catcher Holden Fiedler drove in a pair. Avery Neaves was 0-for-2 official, but walked three times including once with the sacks full to plate a runner.
Shenandoah saw four Hornets collect two hits each. Shortstop Frankie Ritter -- the ODAC's all-time career hits leader -- was joined by designated hitter Colby Martin, right fielder Gavin Horning, and third baseman Ryan Clawson with two knocks each. Second baseman Kyle Lisa drove in a pair, while left fielder Haden Madagan walked twice to go with one of four SU doubles.
Lynchburg and Shenandoah meet again on Saturday in at least one affair. First pitch in game two of the best-of-three series is set for 11:45 a.m. ET. If Lynchburg wins, the series will be over with Lynchburg advancing to the national championship series at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
If Shenandoah wins the 11:45 a.m. outing on Saturday, then a second game would be needed to determine the winner of the super regional. That game is tentatively slated for 2:45 p.m. ET. Both games will be at City Stadium in Lynchburg.