Baseball Prevails in Extras over Philadelphia University, 10-6
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Jr., Shane Dressler (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) provided an RBI ground-rule double to spark a four-run 10th inning to lift West Chester past host Philadelphia University inside RAMP Playground Tuesday afternoon, 10-6. West Chester (8-3) capitalized with the top of the lineup in the beginning of the 10th inning to capture its second consecutive victory. Shortstop Nick Ward (Unionville, Pa./Unionville) reached on base by way of a fielder's choice. He later stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Dressler knocked him for his second RBI of the day. Sr., Robert Knox (Hatboro, Pa. / Upper Moreland) proceed to extend the lead with a two-run triple to left center and later scored to put the game out of reach. Philadelphia University (2-11) was threatening in the bottom of the eighth inning with bases loaded and only one out. West Chester's skipper Jad Prachniak elected to bring in Josh McClain (1-0) (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock) who would later tally his first victory on the mound this season. After allowing a single to left field, McClain settled down and struck out the next two batters to close the door on the inning. In the bottom of the ninth, an unearned run crossed the plate to even the game at six apiece. However, McClain got out of the jam to strand a pair of runners in order to head to extra innings. West Chester had an early advantage dropping five runs between the third and fourth inning for a 5-0 lead. In the third frame, Zach Sheranko (Tannersville, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) put the Golden Rams on the board with a two-run single. Afterwards, shortstop Nick Ward (Unionville, Pa./Unionville) provided a RBI single to left field to extend the lead to three. West Chester added a pair of runs with Jared Melone's (North Wales, Pa./North Penn) sacrifice fly as well as Dressler contributing an RBI groundout. Despite the lead, Philadelphia made a comeback beginning with a three-run shot off of Andrew Gernert (Lenhartsville, Pa. / Kutztown) to right field for Steven Wells' seventh homerun of the season to narrow the deficit. A much need insurance run was provided in the seventh for the Golden Rams. Catcher Clay Harwick (Lansdale, Pa. / Methacton) scored Dressler off of a fielder's choice. Right-Hander Joe Kinee (Philadelphia, Pa / Neuman-Goretti) gave up two unearned runs in the matchup as well. West Chester prevailed in order to defend its title for the second consecutive year at the Bill Giles' Classic, held at Citizens Bank Park on April 18th (Home of the Philadelphia Phillies). This is the fourth straight year for the Golden Rams to play in the classic and will face the winner of Wilmington (Del.) and the University of the Sciences. The rain date is set for the following day, April 19th. The Golden Rams will head to East Stroudsburg to open up PSAC play in their next matchup. The doubleheader on Friday is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
