ASTON, PA – West Chester's offense came alive in the second game of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division doubleheader Monday, accounting for 15 runs on 18 hits, as the Golden Rams earned a split of its twinbill with visiting Shepherd at Maple Zone Sports Institute.
West Chester (18-8, 7-5 PSAC East) answered a two-spot in the top of the first inning of the nightcap by Shepherd (12-13-1, 7-7-1) with five of its own. The Golden Rams added one more in the fourth and then broke out with four more in the fifth that gave the hosts a 10-2 lead. After a five-run seventh, WCU held a commanding 15-2 advantage. The Rams answered with one in the eighth and three in the ninth, but the Purple & Gold prevailed, 15-6.
Shepherd rode a marvelous pitching performance from right-hander Ryan Bywaters (1-0) to a 5-2 victory in the opener. Bywaters was perfect for 5.1 innings, before West Chester's
Sean Szestowicki (Mount Royal, N.J./Kingsway Regional) doubled over the center fielder's head to break up the perfect game and start a two-run rally.
Joe Kaleck (Southampton, Pa./Neshaminy) and
Luke Cantwell (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) provided RBI singles in the sixth.
Keith Flaherty (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep.) singled, doubled and homered, knocking in three runs in the second game. He finished 3-for-4.
J.R. Gifford (Doylestown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) doubled and tripled going 2-for-5 at the plate as the designated hitter.
Kaleck, Szestowicki and
Zack Wright (Columbus, N.J./No. Burlington County Regional) all collected three hits and had three RBI in the nightcap. Kaleck and Wright added home runs, along with Flaherty's smash, as well.
The game two victory ended a five-game losing streak for West Chester while salvaging the final game of the three-game series with Shepherd. It was the longest losing streak for the Golden Rams since an eight-game slide in 2013.
West Chester travels to East Stroudsburg on Friday and then returns home for a doubleheader with the Warriors on Saturday.
