Baseball Lands Six On All-PSAC; McClain And Prachniak Major Winners

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – No. 13 West Chester University had six members of its squad receive a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) all-league nod while also claiming two major awards. West Chester skipper Jad Prachniak was named as the PSAC Coach of the Year for the third time during his tenure, after leading the Golden Rams to their best conference record in his six years at West Chester (33-9, 22-6 PSAC) and the best home record in school history (15-1). Their impressive season is the best conference mark since 2009, when the squad went 21-3. Meanwhile, senior right-hander Josh McClain (Tunkhannock, Pa./Northampton CC) was recognized as the PSAC Pitcher of the Year for his efforts at the back end of the Golden Ram's bullpen. McClain (7-0) held the second-best ERA on the team (2.39) and was first in wins (7), appearances (20) as well as saves (7). Joining McClain on the PSAC East all-conference first team were designated hitter Shane Dressler (York Haven, Pa./Red Land) and third baseman Anthony Salomone (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York). Dressler currently holds the 12th-best batting average in all of Division II, currently sitting at .426. He also leads the team in hits (63), slugging percentage (.655) and RBIs (37). A year ago, he was a member of the 2016 PSAC East all-conference second team. As for Salomone, this was his first all-conference selection in his senior year for the Golden Rams. He was second on the team with five home runs and played in all 42 games for West Chester this season. Rounding out the list on the PSAC East all-conference second team were outfielder Drew Jarmuz (Kennet Square, Pa./LaSalle), right-hander Mike Cipolla (Newark, Del./Charter School of Wilmington) and first baseman Jared Melone (North Wales, Pa./LaSalle). Jarmuz was third on the team in batting average this season (.336) and second with 13 doubles. Cipolla shined as the leader of a well-rounded Golden Rams rotation, leading the team in ERA (1.68) and tied for the lead with four complete games. His .227 opponents' batting average was the best on the team as well. Melone started all 42 games for West Chester this season, posting a .319 batting average and rapping out 51 hits this season, placing him second on the team. West Chester clinched the PSAC East with a successful weekend against Lock Haven, securing the top seed in the East for the PSAC Tournament. The tournament begins with a matchup against Seton Hill on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Point Stadium in Johnstown, Pa.