No. 14 West Chester Captures 12th Bill Giles Title over USciences, 8-5

Box Score
PHILADELPHIA – No. 14 West Chester captured its 12th Bill Giles title by edging out the University of Sciences this afternoon inside Citizens Bank Park by a final score of 8-5.

The Golden Rams (23-6) registered their third consecutive title in the process, receiving contributions from everyone on the squad.

Jr., SS Nick Ward (Unionville, Pa. / Unionville) used all parts of the field today, going 3-for-4 with a triple to left and singles to right and center field. Ward also registered a team-high three RBIs.

The squad did most of its damage in the second inning against USciences (11-22), registering four runs off of four hits.

Sr., 3B Anthony Salomone (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York) started the rally by producing a two-run double, scoring teammates Drew Jarmuz (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) and Joe Sherran (Springfield, Pa./Springfield). 

Keeping the inning alive with an RBI single was senior outfielder Robert Knox (Hatboro, Pa. / Upper Moreland). Lastly, Ward capped off the inning with a triple to left center.

In the fifth, Nick Bateman (Aston, Pa./Malvern) provided a sacrifice fly to give them a 5-0 advantage.

Ward's hot bat continued in the sixth and seventh inning with a pair of singles that resulted in a pair of RBIs. West Chester added a run in the ninth with a sacrifice fly by freshman Corey Webb (Easton, Pa./Easton). 

Sr., LHP Dalton Reed (Downingtown, Pa./Dowingtown West) received the nod as the starting pitcher this afternoon and did not disappoint, throwing three scoreless innings without surrendering a hit to pick up his first win of the season.

Coming in relief for the Golden Rams was freshman right-hander Joe Peluso (Doylestown, Pa./LaSalle) sophomore right-hander Tim Edwards (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) who earned the win. Stepping in during the sixth was southpaw Michael Dietz (Avon Grove, Pa./Avon Grove).

The seventh inning was when USciences broke the shutout as senior Joe Kinee (Philadelphia, Pa / Neuman-Goretti) walked in a run with the bases loaded. So., right-hander Alex Gouveia (Phoenixville, Pa./Spring-Ford) entered in the eighth and was replaced by fellow sophomore Collin Healey (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) with two outs.

In Healey's third appearance of the year, he struck out the first batter he faced to close out the inning. Josh McClain (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock) came in during the ninth to finish the game as USciences attempted to make a comeback.

The Golden Rams are currently riding an eight-game winning streak, while also being atop the PSAC East standings.

West Chester returns to action on Friday when they host conference rival Bloomsburg inside Serpico Stadium with the doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.