The Shepherd University Rams broke their previous school record set last year, winning their 17th consecutive game with a 6-2 win Monday over Wheeling Jesuit University.
“I’m proud of the coaching staff and the players,” director of athletics B.J. Pumroy said. “They’ve done great things. They’re very respectful and get things done the right way.”
The last time the Rams lost was March 7, when they dropped game one of a doubleheader on the road against West Virginia State.
Shepherd had some late inning heroics to earn their record breaking win. Trailing 2-0 going into the top of the sixth, the Rams scored six runs in the inning, which would be enough to hold off the Cardinals.
Despite the record-breaking streak, Pumroy says that the team is looking at the bigger picture.
“They know they’re only half way through the season and they’re looking to extend the season to May,” he said. “They’re not getting complacent and they’re looking at bigger things.”
In May, the NCAA Division II Baseball Atlantic Regional Tournament occurs. Last year, the Rams won their first round match against Winston-Salem State, but would go on to lose their next two games, resulting in elimination from the tournament.
Pumroy says that this team does not want to have the feeling that they should be playing one more game, and that the climate is “we want to go further.”
This year’s Rams’ team holds a 20-2 record and was recently ranked fourth in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Shepherd is winning game with a mixture of strong offense and great pitching. During the streak, they have scored over 10 runs 10 times while allowing 1.88 runs per game.
On Wednesday, March 25, the Rams did not allow any runs in both games to West Virginia Wesleyan. That was the first time they had a double shutout since 2002.
In game one of the doubleheader against Wheeling Jesuit on Sunday, March 29, Shepherd picked up their third consecutive shutout, winning 17-0.
“These guys are working hard with everything we do,” said head coach Matt McCarty following the Wednesday contest. “They’re learning, they’re understanding who they are as an offense and they’re buying into it right now. Once we get all nine guys in the starting lineup every day buying into the same thing, good things are going to happen.”
The Rams will look to extend their winning streak on Friday, April 3, when they return home for a doubleheader against Glenville State.
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