PHILADELPHIA –
Shane Adamski (Deptford, N.J./Deptford) hit a two-out, solo home run in the top of the 12th and
Keith Flaherty (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) added a run-scoring single later in the frame, as West Chester won the Bill Giles Classic Championship with a 10-8 victory over Wilmington at Citizens Bank Park Tuesday afternoon.
West Chester (21-9) captured its 13th Bill Giles Classic title in 20 years of the Division II Tournament between Philadelphia area schools. The Golden Rams were making their 17th appearance in the finals. Wilmington (20-7) was in search of its sixth tournament crown, but was denied in extra innings.
Flaherty and teammate
Joe Kaleck (Southampton, Pa./Neshaminy) each paced the offensive attack with a 3-for-6 showing at the plate and a pair of RBI. Kaleck's third home run of the year tied the game at eight in the eighth and sent the game into extra innings.
Wilmington had an opportunity to win it in bottom of the ninth, but Golden Rams' sidearm reliever,
Dylan Howanitz (Archbald, Pa./Valley View) struck out the last two batters after the Wildcats put runners on second and third with one out.
Colin Kennedy (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) pitched the 10th and 11th innings picking up the win in relief. He struck out two and got the final out on a pop up in the 11th, after Wilmington had the first two batters of the frame reach on errors.
Evan Snyder (Cheyney, Pa./Rustin) earned his first save of the season with a perfect 12th. Seven pitchers for West Chester allowed eight runs, seven of them earned, on 14 hits while walking four and striking out 14.
J.R. Gifford (Doylestown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) hit his sixth home run of the year, knotting the score at 4-apiece in the third. The back-and-forth affair featured four ties and four lead changes, and all three West Chester homers either tied the game, or gave the Golden Rams the lead.
Zack Wright (Columbus, N.J./No. Burlington County Regional) stole a season-high four bases, giving him 30 steals on the year without being caught, which set a new school record for consecutive stolen bases. His 30 swipes on the season ties Charlie Kelly (2010) for second most in a single season at WCU. He is just six steals shy of Al Angelo's single-season record of 36 steals, which has stood since 1978.
Head coach
Mike LaRosa won his first Bill Giles Classic as skipper of the Golden Rams. He won three titles as a player from 2003 to 2005.
West Chester returns to Serpico Stadium on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. for a conference clash with PSAC East leader Millersville.
