Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University scored eight runs in the top of the third inning to erase a brief lead by University of the Sciences en route to an 8-2 victory over the Devils on a Sunny and breezy Wednesday afternoon at Serpico Stadium.
It marked West Chester’s second win of the season over USP (0-19). West Chester (23-4) batted first in the contest because the game was originally scheduled to be played at Richie Ashburn Field in Philadelphia, but playing conditions there were not good enough to get the game in at that venue.
Kevin McGrath hit a three-run homer, his fourth of the season, off USP starter Mike Gartland (0-3), and Bob Stumpo hit a bases-clearing double to highlight the decisive frame. Josh Heyne followed with a two-run double two batters later to chase Gartland and complete the eight-run inning.
USP scored a run in the bottom half of the second inning on an RBI single from Dennis Murphy off Rams starter Joe Opalka (1-1). The Devils added another in the seventh on a RBI double from Kyle Davis. But that was all USP could muster against five West Chester hurlers.
Opalka threw the first three innings in West Chester’s pre-determined pitching order for the mid-week, non-league tilt. He allowed one run on five hits, walked two and struck out a batter. John Hopkins entered and tossed three frames of one-hit ball while striking out four. He also walked a batter. Dan Doyle allowed the other USP run in the seventh, surrendering two hits.
Brandon Wolfe threw an inning, allowing one hit and striking out two. Carmen Daddario finished up in the ninth, striking out two in his perfect inning.
McGrath finished 2-for-4 on the day while Heyne went 2-for-3.
Gartland lasted 2.2 innings and yielded all eight runs on six hits. He walked six people. Greg Nealis finished the rest of the 6.1 innings without allowing a run. He gave up four hits and walked a batter.
West Chester is at Mansfield on Friday as the Golden Rams resume PSAC East play against the Mountaineers. West Chester returns home on Saturday for a second league doubleheader in as many days against Mansfield.
