WEST CHESTER, Pa. – A pair of big innings down the stretch put the game away in a resounding 19-7 victory for the IUP baseball program against Charleston (W.Va.) on Thursday at West Chester's Serpico Stadium in the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional.
The win marks the second NCAA Tournament victory on program history and the first since 1988, spanning 36 years. IUP (34-15) officially made its third NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and the first in 34 years (1990).
The Hawks' lone NCAA Tournament win came against Saint Joseph's (Ind.) prior to Thursday. It continues an impressive three-year stretch for the program since head coach
Steve Kline took the reins.
Charleston (43-9) has captured three straight MEC crowns, entering the tournament with wins in 19 of the last 20 contests since early April. The potent Golden Eagles look to stave off elimination against top-seeded West Chester on Thursday afternoon.
The opportunistic Crimson Hawks put pressure on Charleston and converted in timely situations. IUP drew 12 walks in the game and scored 12 unearned runs on seven Charleston errors.
"We had quality pitching early, worked our counts and battled a great starting pitcher," Kline said. "Our kids saw the ball up and got some pitches they could drive."
A pitching battle early, the game was tied at two after five innings following a solo home run from Drew Klaserner. The Crimson Hawks pulled ahead for good with six runs in the sixth inning and seven more in the next trip to the plate.
Ricardo Aponte led the charge for IUP, going 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI, three runs scored and two walks.
Harrison Pontoli added two hits, two runs scored and three RBI.
David Kessler posted two hits, three runs, three walks and two RBI in a well-rounded day across the IUP lineup. Five different Crimson Hawks posted multiple knocks in the game as the team finished with 12 hits.
A pair of two-run hits pushed momentum in favor of the Crimson Hawks in the sixth inning. Already ahead 4-2, Aponte ripped a single to left center, plating
Au'sean Owens and
Davin Landers for a 6-2 margin. Andrew Sicisnki followed suit on a 2-1 pitch, smashing a ball down the alley in right center for two more runs and a commanding 8-2 IUP advantage.
IUP continued to scratch runs across into the seventh.
Robert Carfagno reached on a throwing error during an attempted sacrifice bunt, widening the IUP margin to double figures at 10-2. Aponte converted again at the dish with a blistering triple off the wall in right, scoring Carfagno and Pontoli. Aponte eventually capped the scoring in the seventh following a sacrifice fly from
Peyton Johnson for a 15-2 edge.
The Golden Eagles eventually loaded the bases and pushed across five runs in the bottom half of the eighth. IUP countered back with three more runs in the ninth inning.
Mark Edeburn made the start on the mound for IUP and wiggled out of a few jams throughout his outing before the Hawks broke through offensively. Leaving the game with a sizable lead, Edeburn allowed two runs on five hits over six innings.
Nathan Mankoski entered in relief, leaving the game due to injury before
Dane Samartino and
Bryce Devan finished out the victory.
Meanwhile, Charleston starter Dwayne Sumler was up and down in his 5.1 innings on the mound. He allowed five runs (three earned) with six strikeouts and seven walks. Sumler was one of five UC pitchers to see time on the mound Thursday.
"It's all new to us and we're happy to be here playing (in the NCAA Tournament)," Kline added. "Whoever we get tomorrow is going to be like a gauntlet, so we just have to get prepared for either team and get ready for tomorrow."
Up Next
IUP faces top overall seed West Chester, returning to the field on Friday, May 17 at 1 p.m.
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