PHILADELPHIA -- Jefferson didn’t need long to show it could handle the moment.
It just needed the seventh inning.
In a game that hung in the balance deep into the afternoon, Jefferson broke it open with a four-run seventh and never looked back, pulling away for an 8-2 victory over Chestnut Hill at Alumni Field to clinch the best-of-three series and advance in the CACC Tournament.
With the win, Jefferson (24-20) moves on to face Goldey-Beacom College on Thursday as the tournament shifts into its double-elimination phase. Chestnut Hill’s season ends at 23-22.
For six innings, it looked like this might be another tight, late-inning grind.
Jefferson scratched out the game’s first run in the fourth when Julio Frometa Gomez lined a double into the gap in right-center, scoring Tripp Capers for a 1-0 lead. It was the kind of small opening that defined much of the early game — limited traffic, few mistakes, and pitching that kept both offenses searching.
Chestnut Hill answered in the fifth. Ryan McNichol delivered a run-scoring single to center to tie the game at 1-1, and by the seventh inning, the Griffins had seized control. A bases-loaded walk by Wyatt Spinks forced in a run, giving Chestnut Hill a 2-1 advantage and putting pressure squarely on Jefferson to respond.
That response came immediately — and decisively.
Jefferson opened the bottom of the seventh with urgency, tying the game on an RBI double from Aleksei Goldhill. Moments later, Frometa Gomez stepped in and changed everything. On the first pitch he saw, he drove a ball out to left field for a three-run homer, flipping a one-run deficit into a 5-2 Jefferson lead in a matter of swings.
It was the defining sequence of the game — and the series.
From there, Jefferson kept pushing.
In the eighth inning, Andrew Holub added the finishing touch, launching a three-run home run to left to extend the lead to 8-2. The outburst capped a relentless offensive effort that produced 12 hits, with multiple contributions throughout the lineup. Frometa Gomez finished with two hits and four RBIs, while Holub added three RBIs of his own. Mason Coyne and Capers each chipped in two-hit performances as Jefferson’s depth wore down Chestnut Hill’s pitching staff.
On the mound, Jefferson pieced together the win behind a steady outing from starter Saiben Rivera and a composed bullpen.
Rivera worked 6 1/3 innings, allowing just two runs while striking out nine. Though he navigated five walks, he limited damage and kept Jefferson within striking distance. Orion Frailey earned the win in relief, recording key outs in the seventh before turning the game over to a bullpen that closed the door without further trouble.
Chestnut Hill threatened early but couldn’t sustain it. The Griffins managed five hits and drew seven walks but struck out 12 times and left key opportunities on base. Dylan Broderick scored both runs, while McNichol accounted for two of the team’s five hits.
For Jefferson, the formula was clear — hang around, wait for the opening, and capitalize when it came.
When it did, they didn’t miss.
Now, the path continues.
The Rams head into the double-elimination portion of the CACC Tournament with momentum — and a lineup that has shown it can change a game in a matter of pitches.
Recent Philly | Phillies Baseball News | Philadelphia Baseball Review
- Jefferson erupts late to eliminate Chestnut Hill, advance in CACC tournament (May 2)
- Ursinus eyeing first ever Centennial Conference title after dominant Saturday sweep (May 2)
- Wheeler sharp, Phillies survive late chaos to extend win streak (May 1)
- Saint Joseph’s clinches A-10 berth, holds off 8-run rally to edge St. Bonaventure (May 1)
- Penn State Brandywine’s season ends as Keystone rallies late to complete sweep in United East tournament (May 1)
- Widener rallies late, holds off Hood to take Game 1 in MAC Commonwealth best--of-three semifinal (May 1)
- Arcadia opens MAC Freedom semifinals with win, uses late surge to hold off Misericordia (May 1)
- CACC Tournament: Holy Family’s season ends after late collapse as Goldey-Beacom completes sweep (May 1)
- CACC Tournament: Jefferson responds, forces winner-take-all after Chestnut Hill takes opener (May 1)
- Ursinus lets five-run lead slip as Johns Hopkins rallies late in Centennial tournament (May 1)
- Chase Shugart earns two wins as Phillies sweep doubleheader with pair of walk-offs (April 30)
- Stott, Crawford deliver late as Phillies overcome missed chances in win over Giants (April 30)
- Rob Thomson didn’t duck it — a classy, accountable exit in Philadelphia (April 30)
- How to navigate the Fishtown Card Show: Insider tips from Wheelhouse’s Matt Stratton (April 30)
- Ursinus rides four-run third, advances in Centennial Conference tournament with 4-2 win (April 29)
- Penn State Brandywine rallies past early mistakes, earns first United East Tournament win (April 29)
- Valley Forge rallies late to survive United East play-in test, advances with 12-8 win (April 29)
- Luzardo dominates as Phillies back Don Mattingly’s “better baseball” message in 7-0 win (April 28)
- Rob Thomson was the move — but not the problem for the Phillies (April 28)
- Phillies fire Rob Thomson after 9–19 start, name Don Mattingly interim manager (April 28)
- Pagano and Shurtleff earn Player of the Week honors from the Philadelphia Baseball Review (April 27)
- Saint Joseph’s routs La Salle, sets program record with 19th Atlantic 10 win (April 27)
- Eastern wins finale, but postseason hopes fall short despite record-setting 26-win season (April 27)
- Ursinus clinches Centennial postseason berth, earns No. 4 seed after split with nationally ranked Johns Hopkins (April 27)
- Phillies fall to Braves 6-2 as Aaron Nola’s struggles continue, drop to 9-19 (April 27)
- Phillies snap 10-game losing streak behind Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler in extra-inning win (April 26)
- Phillies lose tenth straight as familiar mistakes continue in Atlanta (April 25)
- Saint Joseph’s Gaines earns national recognition as postseason races tighten across region (April 24)
- Phillies show fight but can’t finish as losing streak reaches nine (April 24)
- Phillies release Taijuan Walker, but at 8-16, the questions aren’t going away (April 23)
- Phillies spiral continues as Taijuan Walker’s struggles force a looming decision (April 23)
- Saint Joseph’s claims Liberty Bell Classic title behind Beggy, Sweeney at Citizens Bank Park (April 22)
- Phillies’ spiral deepens in 7-4 loss at Wrigley: Walks, missed moments, and a season slipping (April 22)
- Swingman Classic comes to Philadelphia: MLB’s All-Star stage expands its future (April 21)
- Phillies fall to 8–15 as Nola struggles, offense goes hitless again with RISP in loss to Cubs (April 20)
- Shurtleff dominates, Gale explodes as weekly honors spotlight Penn, Saint Joseph’s (April 20)
- Swarthmore stuns No. 4 Johns Hopkins, throws Centennial race into chaos (April 20)
- Saint Joseph’s takes control, West Chester responds, and the postseason picture tightens across Philly college baseball (April 20)
- Phillies News from the Philadelphia Baseball Review
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 »
