May 14, 2009

Slusser, Cotellese advance West Chester to Game 5

WEST LAWN, Pa. — Matt Cotellese homered in the fifth and pitcher David Slusser held Concord University at bay as West Chester University won 5-3 in Game 1 of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regionals Thursday at Owls Field.

Cotellese’s two-run bomb soared well over the 360-foot sign in left field and broke a 1-1 tie.

Slusser struck out 10 batters, allowing just one run on six hits and four hits in eight innings. He stranded three runners in the fifth and struck out the side in the sixth.

West Chester’s Eric Carmichael came in to pitch the ninth and struggled, loading the bases with no outs. Concord, however, managed to score just two in the inning.

Nick Spisak reached safely in all four of his at-bats, scoring two runs and stealing two bases. Spisak, who singled, walked twice and was hit by a pitch, scored in the first inning to give the Golden Rams a 1-0 lead and again in the fifth on Cotellese’s 10th homer of the season.

West Chester added two more runs in the sixth inning to make it 5-1.

Charlie Kelly tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a single by Bob Stumpo. After Concord turned a doubleplay, Joe Wendle singled and scored on a double by Josh Heyne.

Concord’s lone run came in the fourth when Brooks Cullen doubled to start the inning and scored on a single by Devin Smith.

Cullen finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.

West Chester (43-10) advances to play in Game 5 against the loser of Game 3 between No. 2 Kutztown University and No. 5 West Virginia State University. Game 5 will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

Concord (27-14) will face elimination in Game 4 against the loser of Game 2 between No. 3 Shepherd University and No. 4 Mercyhurst. Game 4 will be played at noon Friday.