Mike Knipe
Mike Knipe

Golden Rams Overcome Errors To Escape Griffins

3/23/2011 1:30:23 AM

Box Score
West Chester, PA – (3/22/2011) – West Chester University led 5-0 after five innings, but with late errors Chestnut Hill College was all but beat in this afternoon's contest. Unfortunately, the Griffins only scored four runs in their final four at-bats as the Golden Rams made up for their fielding woes by escaping defeat with a rally-killing pick-off, 5-4. Senior first baseman Mike Knipe (Sellersville, PA) recorded two of the Griffins three hits.
 
West Chester University (7-10) got to senior pitcher Chris Lauber (Morton, PA) in the third inning, touching up the Griffin starter for five runs over their next three at-bats, 5-0. Junior left fielder Alex Latchum (Warrington, PA) ignited the Chestnut Hill College (5-11) response in the sixth inning. He led off the inning with a walk and stole second base, before moving to third on a ground out. An error by the Golden Rams second baseman scored Latchum and put the Griffins on the scoreboard, 5-1. Similarly, senior third baseman D.J. Santoro Jr. (Jeffersonville, PA) led-off the eighth inning with a walk, scampered to second base on a passed ball, and scored on a throwing error by the Golden Rams pitcher, 5-2. The errant throw also allowed freshman centerfielder Desmond Lites (Philadelphia, PA) to reach, who stole third base before scoring on a wild pitch, 5-3.
 
The pressure continued to mount heading to the ninth inning with Knipe welcoming the Golden Rams closer to the game with a lead-off double. He then advanced to third base on a passed ball before scoring on a ground out to second base, 5-4. Once again the beaming of sophomore catcher Timothy DiMonte (Downingtown, PA) gave the Griffins a late-inning opportunity. Unfortunately, this rally was cut short as freshman pitcher Joe Gunkel (Hershey, PA) saved his own skin with a pick-off and a game-ending strike out. Junior pitcher Dylan Porter (Pasadena, MD) allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks, while striking out seven Griffins in the win (1-2).
 
The baseball team resumes their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) schedule with a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader at Caldwell College on Saturday, March 26.
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