STROUDSBURG, Pa. — For the first time in program history, the East Stroudsburg University baseball team is headed to the College World Series as the Atlantic Super Regional champions, following a 7–3 victory over Seton Hill on Saturday at Creekview Park.
The Warriors (40–14) swept the best-of-three series against the Griffins (40–18), avenging losses in their previous two NCAA Tournament matchups.
The College World Series features the eight Super Regional champions competing in a double-elimination format to determine the final two teams, who will then face off in a best-of-three series to crown a national champion.
Notables
Dennis Pierce went 3-for-6 at the plate, including two singles and a grand slam in extra innings, finishing with five RBIs.
Shanley Wall,
Parker Frey, and
Walker Zampella each tallied two hits. Wall and Zampella both hit doubles, with Zampella's sixth-inning RBI double proving key. He also added a stolen base.
Starter
Peyton Brannock threw four innings, allowing just two hits. The bullpen,
Jake Albert,
Johansel Brito,
Cole Dymek,
Ryan Cavanaugh,
Gavin Sopko, and
Caden Parker, combined to allow only three hits over the final seven innings.
How It Happened
Seton Hill struck first with an RBI single in the third inning to take a 1–0 lead. ESU ended its scoring drought in the fifth, with RBI singles from
Connor Reilly and
Dennis Pierce to go ahead 2–1. In the sixth,
Walker Zampella drove a double down the left-field line to score
Jack Rothenhausler, extending the lead to 3–1.
The Griffins answered in the bottom of the sixth, cutting the deficit to 3–2. Down to their final out in the ninth, Seton Hill tied the game with an RBI single, sending it to extra innings.
After
Gavin Sopko held the Griffins scoreless in the 10th, the Warriors loaded the bases with two outs in the 11th. Pierce, down to a full count, blasted a grand slam to deep left-center field to give ESU a 7–3 lead. In the bottom half,
Caden Parker retired the side in order to secure the Warriors' first-ever College World Series berth.
Up Next
East Stroudsburg will travel to Cary, North Carolina, to compete at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. The College World Series runs from Friday, May 30, through Saturday, June 7. The Warriors' next opponent is to be determined.
2025 Super Regional Champions
Atlantic Super Regional: East Stroudsburg
Central Super Regional: Central Missouri
East Super Regional: Felician
Midwest Super Regional: Northwood
South Super Regional: Tampa
South Central Super Regional: UT Tyler
Southeast Super Regional: Lenoir-Rhyne
West Super Regional: Northwest Nazarene
