Box Score BUTLER, Pa. – West Chester trailed 9-4 in the fifth inning, and came back within one run, but could not complete the comeback, falling to Slippery Rock, 9-8, in the first game of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference double-elimination tournament at Kelly Automotive Park Wednesday morning.
The Golden Rams (26-12) fell behind early 2-0 in the first four innings, but came back with a four-run fourth to take the lead. Slippery Rock (30-16) starting pitcher Ryan Oglesby settle in the fifth and sixth innings to allow his lineup to score seven runs heading into the bottom of the seventh. West Chester answered by scoring three runs and one more in the bottom of the ninth after a solo-home run by
Bill Ford (Parkside, Pa./Malvern Prep), but The Rock closed it out to move into the winners' bracket of the tournament.
Ford had a great day at the plate going 3-for-4 with a home run and double for two RBI and scoring three runs on the base pads.
Matt Petrizzi (Levittown, Pa./Conwell-Egan) went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a walk on the day for the Golden Rams.
Joey Coyle (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum) launched a bases clearing triple in the seventh to help the Golden Rams climb back into the contest. He finished 2-for-3 at the plate with five RBI in relief of starting center fielder, Drew Diehl, who left the game in the fourth inning.
The Rock's Kyle Vozar went 2-for-5 with two doubles, knocking in two RBI and scoring two runs. Preston Flascino drove in a run after a 3-for-5 stance at the plate, scoring a run as well. Teammates Jake Nogalo and Tyler Walters hit two solo-home runs.
West Chester now tries to keep its tournament hopes alive as they get set to take on the loser between Mercyhurst and East Stroudsburg tomorrow in an elimination game.
