Press Release Written by Mitchell Coll

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - A two-run bottom of the eight led Jefferson to a 5-3 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over the Wilmington University baseball on Tuesday afternoon at Alumni Field.

The game was the First Round of the Bill Giles Invitational and with the victory, the Rams will now play the winner of Chestnut Hill and West Chester in the championship at Citizens Bank Park in April.

The game was scoreless for both sides through three full innings until the Wildcats (8-10, 1-1 CACC) were the first to strike. Matt Warrington controlled the early part of the game from the mound, striking out four batters and allowing one hit.

CJ Deery led off in the top of the 4th inning and did the job of a leadoff and then some, as Deery doubled to left field. Deery was able to then advance to third on a wild pitch. Eddie Parry came to the plate with one out and a man on second and third. Parry fired the ball off his bat, which ricocheted off the pitcher's foot, allowing Deery to score to put the Wildcats up 1-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Rams put pressure on the Wildcats with runs of their own. After Warrington struck out the leadoff batter, the Rams could string together three hits; a double, triple, and a single that gave them three runs.

JJ Killen led things off in the top of the sixth. Killen crushed a fastball high in the zone to left field. However, after Killen's solo home run in the 6th, the Wildcats had no offensive production in the inning.

In the top of the 7th inning, the Wildcats clawed back into the game with a run to tie. First, Nic Hertzfeld got on base as the leadoff with a single through the left side. Then, Adrian Jimenez's sacrifice bunted Hertzfeld into scoring position. Nick Nocella could single through the left side, which allowed Hertzfeld to advance to third, but Hertzfeld could slide into home safely from a Jefferson error.

A Jefferson two-running 8th inning put the game out of reach for the Wildcats, as they went 1-2-3 in the top of the 9th.

The Wildcats have a quick turnaround as they will travel to West Chester University tomorrow, March 29, to take on the Golden Rams for a single nine-inning game. The first pitch is set for 3:00 PM.