UPJ falls short of title game

The Tribune-Democrat

May 18, 2008 12:05 am

— After fending off Kutztown earlier in the afternoon Saturday, Pitt-Johnstown was looking to go back-to-back against West Chester later Saturday.
But after falling behind by four runs, the Mountain Cats couldn’t make up the difference and were eliminated from the NCAA Division II North Atlantic Regional Tournament by a 6-2 score.
West Chester advance to the championship round today against Shippensburg, the tournament’s lone unbeaten team.
West Chester must defeat Shippensburg twice in order to punch its ticket to the NCAA Division II national tournament later this month.
The Mountain Cats, who finish the season 37-19-1 had a 2-for-5 performance at the plate from Matt Hanley and got an RBI double from Justin Demek to account for three of the four runs produced.
West Chester right-hander James Rundatz went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits to earn the victory. Kyle Guers earned the save by pitching 3 2/3 innings and not allowing a run or hit.
Ben Watkins, a Conemaugh Township graduate, started for the Mountain Cats and pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out four.
Chuck Boring threw three innings of relief and allowed only two hits. West Chester did score twice, but those were both unearned. He had three strikeouts and walked one.
Westmont Hilltop graduate Eric Faint finished the night for UPJ, going 1 2/3 without yielding a hit or run and striking out two.
Originally scheduled for a 7 p.m. start, the game got underway a half-hour late, then was delayed 90 minutes in the bottom of the second due to lightning and heavy rains.