A 10-run Fourth Lifts West Chester over Southern Connecticut State
CLERMONT, Fl. –West Chester's bats came alive in the third and fourth inning to capture a season-high 16 runs to surpass Southern Connecticut State through five frames Wednesday morning, 16-6. The Golden Rams (10-5) received production from the top of the lineup as the one through five hitters combined for 10 runs to go along with eight of West Chester's 12 hits. Southern Connecticut State (0-2) did strike first though to obtain a 1-0 lead after the first frame. Afterwards, West Chester scored 16 runs between the third and fourth inning to end the game due to the 8-run rule. Jr., Madison Kelly (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) started West Chester's six-run third by singling up the middle and stealing second. Teammate, Sara Ercolani (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) put the Golden Rams on the board by bringing in Kelly off of a double down the left field line. The next batter in Cat Hammer (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) gave them the lead for good after a two-run triple. The fourth inning was when the Golden Rams put the game out of reach, accumulating 10 runs off of five hits. Similar to Kelly, Sarah Walasavage (Minersville, Pa. / Minersville) singled and stole second to begin the rally. Walasavage finished the day with a pair of hits, three runs, and swiped one of West Chester's three bags on the day. Shannon Gray (West Chester, Pa. / Henderson) contributed a single through the right side to add two runs batted in. Ercolani, Hammer, and Gray all led the squad with a pair of RBIs. The team was also patient at the plate with seven walks, two of which game from lead-off batter Bri Garber (Willow Street, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg). Micaela McSpadden (Spotswood, Pa./Spotswood), Courtney Stump (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown), and Alyssa Herion (West Grove, Pa./Avon Grove) all produced a RBI as well for West Chester. Fr., Emily Maseth (3-2) (Westminster, Md. / Westminster) started in the circle for the Golden Rams, going four frames with four earned runs to earn the victory. Teammate, Brooke Harner (Chadds Ford, Pa./Kennett) came in during the fifth inning to register her first save of the season. The Golden Rams are now 4-2 at the PFX games with five games remaining. West Chester is set to face Slippery Rock University in its next matchup today.
