Beaver Claims PSUAC Baseball Championship

Dubois, PA -- Beaver takes down Schuylkill for a second time in two days to win the PSUAC Championship.

Coming into the tournament as the fifth seed, Beaver knew they needed to peak to have a shot at going all the way.  Taking down Brandywine on Friday and both Dubois and Schuylkill on Saturday, the Lions drew Schuylkill in the championship matchup.  

In the top of the first Schuylkill looked to seek revenge on yesterday's defeat, scoring one run and taking the early lead.  But Beaver was quick to answer in the bottom of the inning as sophomore, Stephen Antolic (Freedom, PA / Ambridge) hit a solo home run to tie the game.

Beaver shut down the Schuylkill offense in the second inning, forcing three consecutive outs and then went on an offensive run.  Shawn Shaner (Adrian, PA / Kittanning) doubled to score Matt Capo (Moon Township, PA / Moon) who singled in his at bat.  Duncan Miklos (Beaver Falls, PA / Blackhawk) followed with a single of his own and scored on a Tyler Thellman (Beaver Falls, PA / Blackhawk) single, bring the score to 3-1.  A few batters later, with two outs, junior, Nick Casasanta (Moon Twp, PA / Moon) hit a 2 RBI double, building on Beavers' lead.  

Beaver would give up another run in the top of the third inning, but it didn't rattle the team as they still held a 5-2 lead.  In the bottom of the inning Beaver's offense could not be stopped as they generated an unbelievable 10 hits and 13 runs, batting through the order twice. 

After a twenty minute lightening delay and with the rain starting to fall steadily, the teams held each other scoreless in the fourth.  With the rain becoming heavy at times, Beaver gave up two runs in the top of the fifth inning, but were able to retire Schuylkill on a fly out to senior, Derek Bozic (Beaver Falls, PA / Beaver Falls) at first base.  With the field conditions worsening, the umpires called the game due to poor field conditions, giving Beaver the 18-4 victory.

Earning the win from the mound was Andrew Emes (New Brighton, PA / New Brighton) who threw five innings, facing 25 batters and stirking out two.  From the plate Beaver was lead by Casasanta who went 4 for 4 with 4 RBI's.  

Beaver finishes the season with an overall record of 19-19 and a conference record of 15-9 and with the championship victory claims the at-large bid to the USCAA National Tournament to be held in Glenn Falls, NY.