WEST CHESTER, PA – R-Fr., left-handed pitcher
Julian Costa (Mantua, N.J./Clearview) struck out 10 batters over eight innings to back West Chester to a 7-2 victory over visiting Kutztown in the first game of a three-game series Thursday afternoon at Serpico Stadium.
West Chester (27-15, 13-9 PSAC East) moved into third place one-half game of idle Bloomsburg with the win. Kutztown (25-18, 11-11) fell into fifth place with the loss. The Golden Rams can clinch a spot in the 2023 PSAC Tournament next week with at least one win in tomorrow's season-ending doubleheader at Kutztown.
It was the third time in his last five starts on the bump that Costa lasted at least seven innings. Thursday, he scattered five hits and allowed one run over eight innings to improve to 5-1.
West Chester handed Costa a two-run lead in the bottom of the first when
Joe Kaleck (Southampton, Pa./Neshaminy) singled, stole second, and scored when
John DeMucci (Swarthmore, Pa./Msgr. Bonner & Prendie) singled through the left side. DeMucci then stole second and would score on a single to left from
Corey Stouffer (Souderton, Pa./North Penn).
Kutztown battled back with one of its own in the fourth, finally getting to Costa who was perfect the first time through the Golden Bears' lineup.
Zack Miles (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) hit a sacrifice fly, and
Evan Profy (Croydon, Pa./Harry S. Truman) singled in a run in the bottom of the fourth to extend the Golden Rams lead to 4-1.
The hosts added to that advantage with one in the seventh and two in the eighth.
Luke Cantwell (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) doubled down the left field line plating DeMucci in the seventh.
J.R. Gifford (Doylestown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) scored on a fielder's choice, and Miles scored on a single from Kaleck in the eighth.
Kutztown added one run in the ninth, but reliever J
oe Messina (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) had little trouble retiring the Bears to close out the game.
Kaleck, DeMucci, Cantwell and Gifford each had two hits in the win. DeMucci and Gifford each scored twice. Seniors Cantwell, Stouffer, Gifford went a combined 5-for-12 with two runs scored and two RBI on Senior Day at Serpico Stadium.
Kutztown starter Jake Skrocki (8-3) suffered the loss, though he did not pitch poorly at all. He allowed five runs, three of them earned, on nine hits in seven innings of work. He struck out five and did not walk anybody.
Six different batters had one hit for Kutztown offensively. Ethan Martini and Dominic Proietto each doubled.
First pitch in tomorrow's season finale doubleheader at Kutztown is 12 p.m.
