North Wales, PA – (3/24/2010) – Pitching and patience paid off for the Griffins as Chestnut Hill College used quality at-bats and starts to sweep Philadelphia University in today's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) doubleheader. The Griffins received superb pitching from seniors Robby Williams (Allentown, PA) and Ryan Weber (Philadelphia, PA), while frustrating the Rams pitching staff for 9-1 and 6-3 conference victories.
Chestnut Hill College (6-6, 4-0) drew four walks and a balk in the third inning of today's opener to seize the early advantage, 1-0. The Griffins added two more runs in the fourth inning, 3-0. Junior shortstop George Kochu (Pottstown, PA) plated the first run on a fielder's choice, he eventually made in home on a run-scoring single from sophomore second baseman Jesse Daywalt (Phoenixville, PA). In the fifth inning, a one-out homerun from junior right fielder Dan Etherton (Princeton, NJ) made it 4-0 Griffins, before junior first baseman Mike Knipe (Sellersville, PA) chased freshman pitcher Russell Trojan (Springfield, PA) from the contest with an RBI-double. Chestnut Hill College added two more scores in the sixth and seventh innings to overshadow a solo homerun from the Rams' senior shortstop Tyler Mentzer (Gettysburg, PA), 9-1. Williams baffled Philadelphia University (2-9, 1-3) for seven innings. He allowed seven hits and walked one while striking out six for his first win (1-1) of the season. Knipe was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two runs-batted-in (RBI). Trojan took the loss for the Rams; he surrendered three earned runs while walking six and striking out one over five innings.
In game two, the Griffins quickly established a 6-0 lead in the first, three innings thanks to the untamed arm of sophomore pitcher Alejandro Martinez (Mexico City, Mexico). The Rams' hurler walked eight and hit three batters in the first, three innings allowing the Griffins to plate six runs on one hit. The Rams attempted to rally in the sixth inning, as they scored three runs on three consecutive base-hits from the middle of the line-up. Fortunately, a fatigued Weber managed to quiet the Rams' revival before giving way to junior pitcher Matt Casino (Port Chester, NY). Casino retired all nine Rams he faced in the final three innings to collect his first save of the season. Weber collected his third win of the year (3-0), allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven. Martinez took the loss for Philadelphia University.
The baseball team continues their CACC schedule this Saturday, March 27, when they welcome Caldwell College to Hostelley Field for a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader.
