The Hawks are taking control of it.
After winning two of three from George Mason over the weekend, Saint Joseph’s improved to 16-2 in conference play, opening up a five-game cushion over second-place VCU.
That’s not separation — that’s command.
And it didn’t happen quietly.
After dropping the opener of the series, Saint Joseph’s responded with authority, sweeping a doubleheader by scores of 17-9 and 15-6. The offense didn’t just show up — it overwhelmed. The Hawks scored five runs in the first inning of Game 1, added an eight-run third, and piled on from there. In Game 2, it was more of the same — early runs, relentless pressure, and a lineup that never allowed George Mason to settle.
Across the two games, Saint Joseph’s launched three grand slams and turned innings into avalanches. Joey Pagano delivered a grand slam in Game 1 as part of a five-RBI performance, while Blake Primrose added two grand slams on the day — including one in each game — continuing a surge that has defined the Hawks’ offensive identity. Timely hitting wasn’t the exception. It was the expectation.
And it’s been a trend.
Through 18 conference games, Saint Joseph’s has scored in the first inning 14 times — a reflection of a club that consistently plays from ahead and forces opponents to react.
That’s how you build a lead in the standings.
And it comes with context. The program didn’t capture its first Atlantic 10 regular season title until 2023. Now, just two years later, the Hawks aren’t chasing history. They’re setting the pace for it.
The formula has been consistent: win series, avoid extended dips, and apply pressure early in weekends. Against George Mason, they did exactly that, continuing a stretch that has turned the A-10 race into something far less crowded than expected.
Over in the Ivy League, the picture is far less settled.
Penn dropped two of three to Princeton in a series that carried clear postseason implications. The result pushed the Quakers to 9-6 in conference play, sliding them into third place in a league where only four teams reach the conference tournament.
There’s no margin for drift.
Penn still controls part of its path, but it won’t be simple. A remaining series against fifth-place Harvard (6-8) presents an opportunity it likely needs to capitalize on. After that, a showdown with second-place Brown (9-4) could ultimately determine positioning — or qualification altogether.
It’s the kind of closing stretch that demands clarity.
Because in the Ivy League, “almost” doesn’t extend your season.
Division II: PSAC Race Tightens
If Saint Joseph’s is creating distance, the PSAC race is doing the opposite.
West Chester made its statement with a weekend sweep, pushing its conference record to 14-6 and drawing even with East Stroudsburg atop the standings.
And it came with a response.
After dropping its first series of the season the previous weekend, West Chester answered with a four-game sweep of Shepherd — its first PSAC East series sweep of the year — outscoring them 54-10. The finale on Saturday wasn’t competitive. A 25-4 win followed by an 18-3 nightcap, powered by seven home runs, turned the series into a statement.
There were flashes of everything you want to see from a contender.
Explosive innings — including a 12-run frame in one game.
Power throughout the lineup — multiple home runs in a single day.
And enough pitching stability to keep the games from ever tightening.
It wasn’t just a sweep.
It was control.
Eight games remain.
And none of them are soft.
West Chester closes with series against Millersville and Bloomsburg — currently sitting third and fourth in the PSAC, respectively. It’s less a finish line and more a proving ground.
There won’t be any scoreboard watching needed.
The standings will sort themselves out directly.
CACC: Movement Toward the Cut Line
In the CACC, the middle of the standings continues to shift — and Chestnut Hill made sure it stayed in the conversation.
The Griffins delivered one of their most complete weekends of the season, finishing a sweep of Goldey-Beacom with a 16-12 win that carried both immediate and historical weight. It marked the first time in program history that Chestnut Hill has swept the season series from the Lightning — a ranked opponent — and it didn’t come easy.
Down 7-1 early, the Griffins responded with eight runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Matthew Sharkey that flipped the game. Sharkey finished with five RBIs and four hits, setting the tone for a lineup that kept answering.
Even after surrendering the lead late — falling behind 12-10 in the eighth — Chestnut Hill responded again. Michael Pascoe opened the inning with a home run, igniting a six-run rally that ultimately put the game away. Timely hits, aggressive baserunning, and situational execution turned another deficit into a defining win.
Joe Kelly closed it out with two steady innings to secure the sweep.
The result pushed the Griffins to 19-17 overall and 16-11 in conference play — and more importantly, kept them firmly within striking distance in the postseason race.
They now sit two games behind Post for the fourth and final tournament spot with six games remaining.
They’re still alive.
But there’s no cushion left.
If Saint Joseph’s is creating distance, the PSAC race is doing the opposite.
West Chester made its statement with a weekend sweep, pushing its conference record to 14-6 and drawing even with East Stroudsburg atop the standings.
And it came with a response.
After dropping its first series of the season the previous weekend, West Chester answered with a four-game sweep of Shepherd — its first PSAC East series sweep of the year — outscoring them 54-10. The finale on Saturday wasn’t competitive. A 25-4 win followed by an 18-3 nightcap, powered by seven home runs, turned the series into a statement.
There were flashes of everything you want to see from a contender.
Explosive innings — including a 12-run frame in one game.
Power throughout the lineup — multiple home runs in a single day.
And enough pitching stability to keep the games from ever tightening.
It wasn’t just a sweep.
It was control.
Eight games remain.
And none of them are soft.
West Chester closes with series against Millersville and Bloomsburg — currently sitting third and fourth in the PSAC, respectively. It’s less a finish line and more a proving ground.
There won’t be any scoreboard watching needed.
The standings will sort themselves out directly.
CACC: Movement Toward the Cut Line
In the CACC, the middle of the standings continues to shift — and Chestnut Hill made sure it stayed in the conversation.
The Griffins delivered one of their most complete weekends of the season, finishing a sweep of Goldey-Beacom with a 16-12 win that carried both immediate and historical weight. It marked the first time in program history that Chestnut Hill has swept the season series from the Lightning — a ranked opponent — and it didn’t come easy.
Down 7-1 early, the Griffins responded with eight runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Matthew Sharkey that flipped the game. Sharkey finished with five RBIs and four hits, setting the tone for a lineup that kept answering.
Even after surrendering the lead late — falling behind 12-10 in the eighth — Chestnut Hill responded again. Michael Pascoe opened the inning with a home run, igniting a six-run rally that ultimately put the game away. Timely hits, aggressive baserunning, and situational execution turned another deficit into a defining win.
Joe Kelly closed it out with two steady innings to secure the sweep.
The result pushed the Griffins to 19-17 overall and 16-11 in conference play — and more importantly, kept them firmly within striking distance in the postseason race.
They now sit two games behind Post for the fourth and final tournament spot with six games remaining.
They’re still alive.
But there’s no cushion left.
Loading Phillies schedule...
Loading NL East standings...
Support the Mission. Fuel the Movement.
You’re not just funding journalism — you’re backing the future of youth baseball in Philly.
👉 Join us on Patreon »