NEWARK, Del. — The East Stroudsburg University baseball team defeated West Chester 6-1 on Saturday night at Bob Hannah Stadium on the University of Delaware campus, eliminating its PSAC East rival in the NCAA Atlantic Regional.
With the win, the Warriors (37-14) are now one victory away from advancing to the Atlantic Super Regional, which would be a home series against Seton Hill. But first, ESU must face Fairmont State in a rematch and win one of two games against the Fighting Falcons.
Notables
Dennis Pierce,
Chaise Albus,
Jack Rothenhausler and
Francisco Taveras all recorded multiple hits in the win.
Pierce led the way with three hits and two RBIs, including a deep solo home run to center field. Albus added a single, a double and drew a walk. Rothenhausler contributed two singles, including an RBI, while Taveras chipped in with a single and a double.
On the mound, the Warriors' pitching staff was dominant.
Ethan Woods (3.1 innings),
Johansel Brito (0.2 innings),
Cole Dymek (2.0 innings),
Ryan Cavanaugh (2.0 innings) and
Caden Parker (1.0 inning) combined to allow zero earned runs, strike out five, and surrender just five baserunners over nine innings.
Dymek earned the win with two shutout innings after entering in the fifth with the game tied. Brito also delivered in a key moment, entering earlier in the fourth to limit a West Chester scoring threat.
How it happened
Dennis Pierce got the scoring started for East Stroudsburg in the third inning, driving in
Connor Reilly with an RBI infield single. West Chester answered in the bottom of the fourth with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.
In the sixth,
Walker Zampella and
Joel Bonner broke the tie for the Warriors. Zampella delivered an RBI single, followed by Bonner's sacrifice fly to make it 3-1.
ESU extended its lead in the seventh when
Shanley Wall hit an RBI double and later scored on a
Jack Rothenhausler RBI single. Pierce capped the scoring in the ninth with a first-pitch home run to dead center field, giving the Warriors a 6-1 lead.
Caden Parker entered in the bottom of the ninth and shut the door on the Golden Rams to eliminate their PSAC East rival.
Up next
East Stroudsburg is scheduled to face Fairmont State at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Due to field conditions, the game site is still to be determined, with an announcement expected early in the morning.
