STROUDSBURG – Serving as the host of the NCAA Atlantic Regional for the first time in program history, the 15th-ranked and second-seed East Stroudsburg University baseball team opened with a 3-1 win over Frostburg State (37-15) on Thursday at Creekview Park.
The No. 2 seed Warriors (42-12) enter the winner's bracket and will face No. 6 seed Seton Hill (37-14) on Friday at 2 p.m.
In the process, ESU recorded its 42nd win of the year to break the single-season record for victories set by the 2022 squad at 42-12. In 17 years under NCBWA Atlantic Region Coach of the Year
John Kochmansky, the Warriors have now set the school record for wins five times (2009, 2013, 2016, 2022).
Trailing 1-0 after the third inning, the Warriors scored one run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh frames to pull away from the Bobcats.
Redshirt senior
Brent Francisco was magnificent on the mound once again as the NCWBA Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year tossed 7.0 innings, allowing one run on nine hits to go along with a season-high 10 strikeouts. The redshirt senior improved to 12-1 on the season, which set the single-season record for wins previously held by All-American Matt Festa (11-1, 2016), while dropping his ERA to 1.91 and NCAA Division II-leading WHIP to .78.
Batting Notables
Pitching Notables
- Carson Renner bridged the Warriors to ninth inning as the freshman struck out one Bobcat in the eighth inning
- Junior Caden Parker continued to extend his single-season record for saves as the NCBWA All-Atlantic Region First Teamer notched his 11th of the year
- Francisco continued to rewrite the program record books as he now holds career marks for innings pitched (285.1), strikeouts (316) and wins (29) as well as single-season records for punchouts (116 – 2022), innings pitched (89.1 – 2022), games started (16 -2022) and now wins (12)
How it Happened – ESU 3, Frostburg State 1
Frostburg State broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning as Ethan Kipple delivered a two-out solo home run over the left field fence to give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead.
The Warriors tied the game at 1-1 with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Albus beat an infield single to score Rothenhausler, who led off the frame with a walk before moving into scoring position.
ESU took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning as Wall slapped a single through the left side to put the Warriors in front 2-1. Kelly reached on a fielder's choice and stole second before coming around to score the go ahead run.
ESU scored for the third inning in the home half of the seventh as Albus collected his second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Warriors ahead 3-1.
Up Next
The Warriors advance in the winner's bracket of the NCAA Atlantic Regional #2 to face No. 6 seed Seton Hill tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Creekview Park. The loser between ESU and the Griffins will face the winner of No. 3 Millersville and No. 7 Frostburg State on Saturday at 11 a.m. in an elimination game.
