The Shippensburg University baseball team knew it would face a tall order in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division foe No. 25 West Chester University over the weekend, and the Raiders were up to the task, coming away with a weekend-split over the four game series.

It was also a historic weekend for the Raiders, as Jake Kennedy hit the 34th home run of his SU career. Kennedy’s hit broke the SU home run record Sunday, which was previously held by Matt DeSanto, who hit 33 home runs from 2000-03.

On Saturday, SU played host to the Golden Rams at Fairchild Field, losing Game 1, 1–0, before winning Game 2, 6–5.

In Game 1, Gabe Mosser was fantastic on the mound for SU, reeling off his best start of the season. Mosser surrendered just two hits and one run in seven innings, while striking out 11 batters. Unfortunately, it was not enough, as the Raiders were unable to find any offense.

The Raiders bats finally came alive in Game 2, after the Raiders fell behind 4–0 early. In the fifth inning, Nick Spangler sparked the offense with a leadoff walk, which was followed by a Grant Hoover single to give SU runners on first and second, with no outs.

After West Chester recorded the first out, Ryan McMillen reached base to load the bases. With two outs, Dalton Hoiles delivered the first of three straight two-out hits for SU, to cut the West Chester lead to just one. The single by Hoiles scored both McMillen and Hoover, before Kennedy singled home McMillen to tie the game.

Drew Bene followed Kennedy with a single to give SU the lead, 5–4. West Chester cut the lead to just one, but Michael Hope shut the door for the Raiders, earning a four-out save.

After Saturday’s split, SU traveled to West Chester for Game 3 and Game 4 of the weekend series at Serpico Stadium.

The Raiders split the day, winning Game 3, 10–1, while dropping Game 4, 2–1, in eight innings.

In Game 3, Kennedy etched his name in the history books with his 34th career home run. Kennedy’s second-inning grand-slam was the icing on the cake of a seven-run inning for the Raiders.

SU used the strong push early on to take the lead and held onto it, taking Game 3, 10–1.

Mark Curtis earned his second win of the season, after throwing six innings, yielding just one run while striking out four batters.

In the weekend’s final game, SU received another fantastic pitching performance, this time from Hoover, but was unable to push across any run support.

Hoover threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up just six hits and one earned run, while striking out two batters. The Raiders dropped Game 4, 2–1 in eight innings.

The Raiders, 9–13–1, 4–4 PSAC East, will be back in action today when they host Shepherd University for a doubleheader at Fairchild Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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