FINAL SCORE: #8 Cleary University 7, #9 Penn State Beaver 6
RECORDS: Cleary University (19-25) | Penn State Beaver (19-20)
LOCATION: East Field Park in Glens Falls, NY
IN BRIEF: The Cleary Cougars were able to capitalize with runners in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat Penn State Beaver 7-6. Joel Ledford's two run RBI and a sacrifice fly by Luke Bunting allowed Cleary to get three runs across the plate, including what would prove to be the game-winning run.
HOW THEY SCORED: Penn State Beaver opened up the scoring in the top of the 1st inning with Nick Casasanta's single which advanced Jake Debo and allowed Tyler Thellman to score. Cleary had a double steal in the bottom of the 1st when Briton Ott stole second base which provided the distraction needed to allow Nick Hoogerhyde to steal home.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Debo hit a double allowing Duncan Miklos to score an unearned run. Stephen Antolic of Beaver followed that double with one of his own scoring Debo. Cleary came back in the bottom of the inning on a fielder's choice. Cleary then took the lead for the first time in the game in the bottom of the 3rd when John Grable singled and Mickey Monpas was able score from second.
Beaver in the top of the 6th was able to score three runs and take the lead on several Cleary mistakes. With the bases loaded, Derek Bozic walked allowing Thellman to score from third. The next batter, Matt Capo was hit by a pitch on the wrist allowing another run to score. Shawn Shaner singled to score Antolic for the third run of the inning. Cleary would not go down without a fight as Ledford hit a two run single to tie the game at 6-6. Bunting hit a sacrifice fly to score what would be the winning run.
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE: In the first inning, Penn State Beaver scored one run on their five hits while Cleary scored one run on their lone hit. Thellman led Penn State Beaver with three hits followed by four players with two hits each. Debo, Antolic, Casasanta, Bozic, Capo, and Shaner all had one RBI for Penn State Beaver.
Cleary was led by the two RBI's and three hits of right fielder Ledford. Jack Ropp pitched 4.2 inning and allowed three earned runs and struck out three in the process, walking only one. Tyler Vaughn came in for the last 1 and 2/3 innings surrendering no runs to close out the game.
NEXT UP: Cleary advances in the winners bracket to face the host, College of St. Joseph's Vermont tonight at 6:30 pm EST. Penn State Beaver is still alive in the tournament but moves to the loser's bracket. They will face the loser of the #2 Rochester College vs #7 Penn State DuBois game tomorrow at 11:00 am.
