After starting the season 8-7 in non-league games, the West Chester Golden Ram baseball team was ready to take on their first PSAC opponent; the Millersville Marauders. In a two-day, four-game weekend, all against Millersville, West Chester trailed for only two of the 29 total innings, winning all four contests in a commanding start to PSAC East play.
The first game against Millersville took place on Friday, where starter ace Jason Bowman made it easy on the Golden Rams. He threw a complete game three hitter, allowing only one run en route to West Chester’s 7-1 victory.
West Chester started the game off right, scoring first in the opening inning and adding to it throughout the rest of the game. Millersville didn’t start their scoring until the final inning, where they mustered up one run. That was not enough to overcome the seven run deficit.
Leadoff hitter Kevin McGrath had three hits and two RBI’s in the game. Bob Stump and Kyle Orensky each had two RBI’s themselves, while Matt Cotellese added the final one.
Connor Kerins was the winning pitcher in the second game Friday, as the Golden Rams won 7-5. Greg Ball got the save, holding the Marauders to one run in the final inning.
This was the only game where West Chester even trailed, as it was 2-1 Millersville going into the fourth inning. West Chester then opened up for five runs in the fourth, which would be enough to hold off Millersville. They added one more insurance run in the fifth.
McGrath had two more RBI’s in the nightcap. Blair Dameron and Nick Spisak each notched two hits.
The first game Saturday, West Chester traveled to Millersville, and proved to be a barn burner. There were only 11 total hits and five total runs, but the Rams came out on top in an extra inning 3-2 affair.
West Chester was the first to score in the second inning, and would later add one more to be up 2-0 going into the final inning. Millersville then scored two unearned runs to tie the game. After putting in the closer, Eric Carmichael for starter David Slusser, the bases were loaded with two outs. Carmichael was able to get the batter to ground out to third base, take a deep sigh of relief, and send the game to extra innings.
West Chester answered the call, scoring in their first at bat. Carmichael held the Marauders scoreless to take their third consecutive game against them.
Stumpo was the savior on the day, knocking in the game winning run. Cotellese had two hits and an RBI and Dameron added two hits and a run.
West Chester ended the weekend in dominating fashion, scoring eight runs and allowing none to finish out the weekend sweep of Millersville and extend their winning streak against them to eight.
Bret Moyer was the winning starter on the mound, with a complete game shutout. Cotellese, Kelly, and Stump each contributed two hits in the game.
So with that, the Golden Rams started off their PSAC East play 4-0, and for the second consecutive year sweep Millersville.
Next week, West Chester will take on the Philadelphia University of the Sciences on Monday and Tuesday before another four game PSAC East weekend against East Stroudsburg.
Ryan Frisco is a second-year student majoring in Communication studies. He can be reached at RF648257@wcupa.edu.