West Chester Stays Alive With Win Over Lock Haven

Box Score

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Nick Ward (Unionville, Pa./Unionville) went tripled and homered and knocked in four runs to lead a West Chester attack that banged out 11 runs on 12 hits as the Golden Rams staved off elimination for the second straight day en route to an 11-0 victory over Lock Haven in the PSAC Tournament at Point Stadium late Friday night.
 
West Chester (35-10) advance to the tournament semifinals through the loser's bracket while eliminating Lock Haven (32-18). The Golden Rams take on PSAC Western Division champ and No. 1-ranked Mercyhurst Saturday afternoon at approximately 12:30 p.m.
 
The matchup on the hill for this elimination game was the same as six days earlier in the regular-season home finale for Lock Haven at The Watkins Field when the Bald Eagles sent Brett Morrison to the mound opposite the Golden Rams' Eric Close. That day, Close lasted just three innings, surrendered three runs on six hits and only struck out two, suffering the loss. Morrison gave up one run on three hits and k'd six to pick up the win.
 
However, late Friday night in Johnstown, the tables turned dramatically.
 
Close tossed six shutout innings, scattered four hits and struck out six to improve to 5-3 on the year. He was masterful in keeping Lock Haven's hitters off balance. Meanwhile, Morrison (4-1) was hit around for four innings, surrendering seven runs on six hits in suffering his first loss of the season.
 
Close combined with four other hurlers to record the shutout on Friday.
 
Ward provided all the offense Close and the others would need, rapping out a triple and a grand slam in his first three at bats. Jared Melone (North Wales, Pa./North Penn) went 3-for-4 with a double and two triples as well. The two- and three-hole hitters in West Chester's lineup Friday night combined to go 5-for-8 with six runs scored, six RBI and five extra-base hits.
 
West Chester jumped out on top early with one run in the bottom of the first. The Rams added two more in the fourth, but really put the game out of reach with a five-spot in the fifth. One more run in the seventh and a pair in the eighth were added for good measure.
 
Nick Bateman (Aston, Pa./Malvern) finished the night 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI. He hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth and then singled home a run in the fifth. Corey Webb (Easton, Pa./Easton) went 2-for-4 with a two-run single in the eighth.
 
No. 14 West Chester battles No. 1/3 Mercyhurst tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. If the Golden Rams win that game, then they will play the Lakers again later that day at either 3:30 p.m., or 6:30 p.m.