Jefferson won their first NCAA Tournament contest since 1990. | PHOTO: Jefferson Athletics

Jefferson (33-15) erupted for 11 runs in the final three innings, securing a 19-6 victory over Franklin Pierce in the first game of the NCAA East Regional I Tournament on Thursday in Hooksett, N.H. This win advances the Rams into the NCAA East Regional winners' bracket  in what is the program's first NCAA appearance since 1990.

 

The Rams jumped to an early lead with a six-run third inning, but the Ravens closed the gap to two runs before Jefferson pulled away with four more runs in the sixth. 

 

Joshua Lopez contributed significantly, going 2-for-4 with a grand slam, while Gabe Silva added three RBIs. Lou Spadafora led the offensive charge, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs and four RBIs. 

 

Albert Bobadilla earned the win, surrendering five runs on four hits over five innings. 

 

Samuel Bass collected the save, tossing three scoreless frames while collecting six strikeouts. 

The Rams will face No. 1 seed and regional host Southern New Hampshire on Friday. A victory would lift Jefferson to the regional final on Saturday.

 

The Penmen took three-of-four earlier this season when the two clubs met during the regular season at Alumni Field. 

West Chester (43-8) began their 2024 NCAA Tournament campaign as the top seed in the Atlantic Regional for the second time in three years, facing the University of Charleston (W.V.) (44-9) on a damp Thursday afternoon at Serpico Stadium. Despite an early 2-0 lead, the Golden Rams fell 7-3 to the Golden Eagles, who took control with a pivotal three-run fourth inning and never looked back.

 

Evan Profy opened the scoring in the first inning by capitalizing on a balk. Sean Szestowicki followed with a deep sacrifice fly to center, extending the lead to 2-0. However, Charleston responded by scoring three runs off West Chester starter Julian Costa in the third inning, taking a lead they maintained for the rest of the game.

 

Charleston's pitching staff stifled West Chester's offense, limiting them to just five hits and striking out five batters. This marked the first time since April 26 that an opposing team held the Golden Rams to fewer than six hits, and only the fifth time all season.

 

Costa, suffering his first loss since March 15, allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out five. 

Profy stood out by going 2-for-4 at the plate, scoring twice and drawing a walk, as one of only four Golden Rams to record a hit.

 

West Chester will face IUP on Friday in an elimination game. A win would advance the Golden Rams to the final on Saturday afternoon.