John DeMucci collected two hits on Thursday for WCU. | PHOTO: West Chester

West Chester showcased resilience, shaking off a challenging start amidst heavy rain in the first inning to secure a thrilling 10-8 victory over Shippensburg, propelling them into the winner's bracket final of the 2024 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Baseball Tournament held on Thursday afternoon. 

 

Ranked eighth nationally, West Chester (41-7) is set to clash with the formidable 24th-ranked East Stroudsburg (40-10) on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., vying for the coveted spot in the conference final for the second consecutive year. Notably, three of the remaining four teams in the PSAC Tournament hail from the Eastern Division.

 

West Chester's previous encounters with East Stroudsburg this season resulted in a favorable outcome, clinching victory in three out of four games. 

 

The pivotal moment Thursday came in the fourth inning when West Chester, trailing 4-0, staged a remarkable comeback, piling on nine runs. Casey Vaughan emerged as the hero, delivering a pivotal bases-loaded double down the right-field line in his first at-bat of the inning, clearing the bases and igniting the team's offensive onslaught. Vaughan's stellar performance continued as he doubled again in his next appearance, tallying four RBIs in a standout inning where West Chester sent 14 batters to the plate. 

 

The momentum was further fueled by Anthony Boccio's milestone achievement, as his bunt single in the fourth marked his 200th career base hit. Boccio's contribution extended beyond this feat, as he later drove in two runs with a crucial single, finishing the game 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and three runs scored, complemented by two walks. 

 

Vaughan's offensive prowess was matched by his 2-for-5 performance, highlighted by the four RBIs in the decisive fourth inning. 

 

Additionally, John DeMucci contributed significantly, going 2-for-5 with a run scored.