Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Three Golden Rams collected three hits each to lead an offensive barrage as visiting West Chester defeated host University of the Sciences (USP), 29-5, in the first round of the Bill Giles Classic Tuesday afternoon.
West Chester (14-7) will take on Wilmington University (Del.) in the championship game of the four-team tournament on April 14 at 4 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park – home of the world champion Philadelphia Phillies. The Golden Rams are the defending Bill Giles champions having defeated USP a year ago in Citizens Bank Park in the championship game.
Blair Dameron finished with three hits and four RBI while Kyle Orensky and Charlie Kelly each rapped out three hits and three RBI. Joe Wendle went 3-for-7. Nick Spisak and Orensky each scored four runs.
West Chester scored five runs in the top of the first, but USP responded with three of its own in the bottom half of the frame. The Golden Rams tallied two more in the second, before the Devils picked up one more in their at bats.
After a scoreless third inning, West Chester put up two in the fourth, four in the fifth and then broke the game wide open with a 10-run sixth. The Rams tacked on three in each of the next two frames.
Brian Lawlor started and pitched the first four innings on the mound. Four relievers followed Lawlor to the mound in the rout. Lawlor allowed four runs, two of them earned, on five hits. He walked one and struck out four and hit two people.
Steve Richter (1-0), who was credited with his first career win, Joe Opalka and Carmen Daddario each threw one inning of relief. Jordan Lehman finished up in the eighth and the ninth, striking out five.
Gary Thompson (1-3) took the loss in his fourth start of the year. He lasted just one inning, allowing five runs, three earned, on five hits.
West Chester is off until it partakes in a four-game conference series against East Stroudsburg on the weekend. The Golden Rams travel to the Warriors on Friday for a doubleheader, before hosting a doubleheader Saturday.
