Southern New Hampshire jumped to an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning and four in the second, taking a commanding 7-0 advantage. Jefferson began their comeback in the fourth inning with a two-run homer from Joshua Lopez, making it 7-2.
In the sixth inning, the Rams scored three more runs. Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to right field for the first run, and Gabe Silva singled to bring in a second run. Silva was then picked off at first, allowing Lopez to score and cut Southern New Hampshire's lead to 7-5.
Southern New Hampshire added another run in the bottom of the sixth, extending their lead to 8-5. Jefferson continued to fight back, with Matt Vita hitting a two-run single up the middle in the eighth, narrowing the gap to 8-7.
The Rams held the Penmen scoreless in the bottom of the eighth and had a chance to tie or take the lead in the ninth inning. However, after a strikeout and a ground out, Lopez reached first base, but Marquise Wood's fly out to center field ended the game, sealing an 8-7 victory for Southern New Hampshire.
The two clubs will meet again on Saturday at 1 p.m. A Rams victory would force a deciding winner-take-all game later in the day.
In other Division II action
IUP knocked off top-seeded West Chester, 9-3, putting an end to the Golden Rams' season. The club finished its historic season with 43 wins, setting a new program record for the longest winning streak (21) and winning its first PSAC Tournament title since the 2016 season before its NCAA Tournament departure.
Joe Sperone took the loss, surrendering four earned runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings. David Ferguson and Kyle Lazer combined to allow to allow five runs over 1 1/3 innings in relief.
