It’s February baseball, which means anything can happen. One moment, you’re running up the score in a statement win. The next, you’re watching a game slip away on a chilly afternoon. Just ask West Chester, which opened its season with a doubleheader split against Charleston (W.Va.) on Saturday at Patriot Park in Petersburg, Va.
The Golden Rams wasted no time flexing their offensive muscle in Game 1, erupting for 12 runs on 10 hits en route to a 12-2 victory. Freshman Austin Stalker made quite the first impression, launching a three-run homer in the fifth to put the game out of reach. Julian Costa turned in a strong start, striking out six over five innings while allowing two runs (one earned). Meanwhile, Charleston’s Mason Behn endured a rough outing, surrendering seven runs (four earned) in just 2.1 innings.
But if Game 1 was a breeze, Game 2 was anything but. Charleston capitalized on a first-inning error to plate two early runs, and despite some late-inning drama, West Chester fell short, 4-3. Nick Noga battled through four innings, allowing four runs (two earned), but the real bright spot came from Ben Jones, who tossed 2.2 scoreless innings in relief.
West Chester will look to bounce back in another doubleheader against Charleston on Sunday.
Bonino’s Gem Lifts Chestnut Hill Over No. 22 Molloy
Rich Bonino wasn’t just good on Saturday—he was Houdini. The Chestnut Hill right-hander scattered two hits over six scoreless innings, working his way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the sixth with a pair of strikeouts and a harmless popout. That was the moment. That was when Molloy realized this wasn’t going to be their night.
With Bonino dealing, the Griffins’ offense did just enough. Phoenix Bowman (what a name for a slugger) launched a solo homer in the third, while Kenyon Motley and Michael Benedetto III chipped in with RBI singles. Luke Schweiker locked down the final three innings to notch his first collegiate save, and just like that, Chestnut Hill handed No. 22 Molloy its first loss of the season, 5-0.
They’ll try to keep the momentum going Sunday morning against regionally ranked Franklin Pierce. But if we’ve learned anything from February baseball, it’s that no lead is safe—just ask Holy Family.
Holy Family’s Ninth-Inning Rally Comes Up Short
Down three. Two outs. Bases loaded. It was the kind of situation every kid imagines growing up. But baseball can be cruel, and Holy Family learned that the hard way on Saturday, as their furious ninth-inning rally fell just short in a 6-3 loss to Bloomsburg.
Dalton Turner (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy (Bucks County CC)) singled to get things started, and when Gino Serechia (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton (Shepherd University)) and Garrison Pregulman (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral (Los Angeles Pierce College)) worked walks, there was a buzz in the air. Could they really pull this off?
Not this time. Bloomsburg’s bullpen slammed the door, leaving Holy Family to think about what could have been. The good news? They’ll get another shot at redemption on Sunday in a doubleheader at Father Judge.
Because in baseball, there’s always another game. And in February, there’s always another surprise waiting.
Rich Bonino wasn’t just good on Saturday—he was Houdini. The Chestnut Hill right-hander scattered two hits over six scoreless innings, working his way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the sixth with a pair of strikeouts and a harmless popout. That was the moment. That was when Molloy realized this wasn’t going to be their night.
With Bonino dealing, the Griffins’ offense did just enough. Phoenix Bowman (what a name for a slugger) launched a solo homer in the third, while Kenyon Motley and Michael Benedetto III chipped in with RBI singles. Luke Schweiker locked down the final three innings to notch his first collegiate save, and just like that, Chestnut Hill handed No. 22 Molloy its first loss of the season, 5-0.
They’ll try to keep the momentum going Sunday morning against regionally ranked Franklin Pierce. But if we’ve learned anything from February baseball, it’s that no lead is safe—just ask Holy Family.
Holy Family’s Ninth-Inning Rally Comes Up Short
Down three. Two outs. Bases loaded. It was the kind of situation every kid imagines growing up. But baseball can be cruel, and Holy Family learned that the hard way on Saturday, as their furious ninth-inning rally fell just short in a 6-3 loss to Bloomsburg.
Dalton Turner (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy (Bucks County CC)) singled to get things started, and when Gino Serechia (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton (Shepherd University)) and Garrison Pregulman (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral (Los Angeles Pierce College)) worked walks, there was a buzz in the air. Could they really pull this off?
Not this time. Bloomsburg’s bullpen slammed the door, leaving Holy Family to think about what could have been. The good news? They’ll get another shot at redemption on Sunday in a doubleheader at Father Judge.
Because in baseball, there’s always another game. And in February, there’s always another surprise waiting.
