The Shippensburg University baseball team opened its 2026 season with a decisive 8-2 victory over Saint Michael's, showcasing strong offense and pitching. The Raiders scored seven runs within the first three innings, highlighted by a two-run home run from Will Oates in a pivotal four-run third inning. Starting pitcher Conner Barto secured the win, allowing just one run and striking out a career-high eight batters, while sophomore Jacob Dennis delivered four hitless innings in relief. All nine starters made significant contributions, with seven players recording extra-base hits.

By the Numbers
  • Shippensburg scored seven runs in the first three innings.
  • Conner Barto struck out a career-high eight batters over five innings.
  • All nine starters recorded at least one hit; three players achieved two-hit games.
  • Jacob Dennis pitched four hitless innings, matching his career high with five strikeouts.
Yes, But

While Shippensburg excelled offensively and defensively, they did make an error that allowed an unearned run in the ninth inning, demonstrating room for improvement in their overall fielding play.

State of Play
  • Shippensburg improves to 1-0 for the season and will face Saint Michael's again for a doubleheader.
  • The team displayed a diverse offensive strategy with contributions from multiple players.
What's Next

The Raiders will look to build on their successful opener in a doubleheader against Saint Michael's, aiming to continue their momentum and further solidify their team chemistry and performance as the season progresses.

Bottom Line

Shippensburg's strong start bodes well for the season ahead, highlighting the potential for a powerful offensive lineup and solid pitching, but they will need to clean up their defense to sustain success moving forward.