Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg baseball team suffered its first loss in 23 games against Shenandoah on Friday afternoon, dropping the contest 8-4. The two squads will meet again tomorrow, Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m.

The No. 2/2 Lynchburg Hornets (30-4-1, 17-1-1 ODAC) were handed their first loss in conference play this season. The No. 8/9 Shenandoah Hornets (30-8, 13-6) struck first with two runs in the second inning, but Lynchburg answered immediately in the bottom half. Joe Munitz worked a walk, and Sean Pokorak followed with a two-run home run to left field to tie the game at 2-2.

Lynchburg kept the game close through the middle innings. Shenandoah regained the lead with two runs in the fourth, including one unearned run, to go ahead 4-2. Lynchburg trimmed the deficit in the sixth inning when Quinn Madden singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Flora, making it 4-3.

The game shifted in the seventh inning as Shenandoah broke it open with four runs on four hits. A two-run single was followed by a three-run home run, pushing the lead to 8-3. Lynchburg continued to compete late and added a run in the ninth. Kyle Flora reached on a walk and advanced before eventually scoring on a wild pitch to make it 8-4, but the Hornets were unable to mount a further comeback.

Lynchburg finished with four runs on eight hits. Brandon Garcia and Benton Jones each recorded two hits, while Sean Pokorak led the offense with two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs. Munitz added a hit and scored a run, and Madden also contributed a hit and scored.

On the mound, Tyler Kaltreider took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, over five innings while striking out five. Austin Riney followed with a scoreless inning of relief, and Lucas Marrero struck out four over 1.2 innings as the Hornets used multiple arms throughout the game.

Both teams will match up again tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. on Fox Field to finish the two-game series. Additionally, the senior class will be honored and celebrated during their senior-day ceremony for the great accomplishments they've achieved throughout their time at Lynchburg.

Visit Lynchburg athletics' home online, LynchburgSports.com, anytime for up-to-date news on all Hornets sports and coverage from the Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network.

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