SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University baseball team began its 12-game homestand on Saturday afternoon with pair of victories over Gannon in a non-conference doubleheader, winning 10-2 in a seven-inning ballgame and 4-1 in a nine-inning matchup at a windy Fairchild Field.
 
Shippensburg (6-2) extended its winning streak to six games after an exceptional showcase of pitching, hitting and fielding. The Raiders totaled 18 hits, including multiple hits in three of the first four innings in Game 1.
 
SU held Gannon (0-2) to three runs scored during the doubleheader and only walked five batters.
 
Shippensburg will host Gannon at noon on Sunday for a nine-inning bout to conclude the weekend series.
 
Game 1
 
Graduate Noah Nabholz got the start on the mound in Game 1 and quickly worked to retire the side, throwing just ten pitches in the first frame.
 
The Raiders' bats were hot out of the gate, quickly jumping to a 7-0 lead. A combination of walks and singles to the outfield allowed SU to hit all the way through the batting order.
 
After allowing Gannon to score on a double play in the second, Shippensburg hopped back on the offensive. A double to right field by freshman Mike Heckman brought juniors Andrew Chronister and Morgan Wyatt home to extend the Raiders lead to 9-1.
 
Later in game Heckman recorded his third RBI of the game with single to left field, scoring Wyatt from second base.
 
Nabholz earned his second win of the season, striking out six batters in six innings pitched. Freshman Brenden Anderson pitched one inning in relief in the Raiders victory.
 
Sophomore Gio Calamia, Chronister, Wyatt and Heckman posted two hits, while junior Joe Barbera earned two hits and two RBIs.
 
Game 2
 
SU took the lead in the first inning yet again, as a groundout from junior Austin Baal allowed Heckman to score from third.
 
After Gannon tied the game in the third inning, the Raiders took the lead again as Baal scored on a double to right field from Dalena.
 
Shippensburg extended its lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a sacrifice fly from Chronister bringing Calamia home. The following at-bat Baal recorded his second RBI of the game, scoring Heckman with a single to right field.

True freshman J.T. Weaver had an impressive showing on the mound in his first collegiate start, striking out nine batters and allowing just two hits. The right-hander threw 104 pitches across eight innings, without giving up a single earned run or walk. Weaver earned his second win of the season in the process.
 
Junior Austen LaBarre came in to close the ninth, as he struck out two batters and earned his third save of the season.