Video Highlights

THE RUNDOWN
Score: Gannon 8, No. 25 West Chester 4
Records: GU (28-12) | WCU (40-13)
Box Score
Location: Veterans Park | Quakertown, Pa.
The Short Story: The Western Division third-seeded Gannon softball team clinched its first appearance in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title game following an 8-4 victory over Eastern Division top-seed and 25th nationally-ranked West Chester at Veterans Park Friday. The Lady Knights scored four runs in the top of the seventh to seal the victory over the Golden Rams. The Maroon and Gold finished the day with three home runs, including two in their final at bat.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Following consecutive scoreless innings to open the game, Western Division third-seed Gannon took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third over Eastern Division top-seed and 25th nationally-ranked West Chester. With two outs on the board and runners on first and second, junior Alyssa Bates (Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield) hit an RBI-single up the middle for a 1-0 lead to score senior Jess Rectenwald (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills).
- To close the third inning, the Lady Knights added a run on a Golden Rams' error at short with freshman Jackie Martinez (Phoenix, Ariz. / Xavier College Prep) scoring on the play for a 2-0 GU advantage.
- West Chester answered back in the bottom half of the third with four runs to take a 4-2 lead over the Lady Knights. Three of the runs came off an RBI-triple by Erin Whitman before an RBI-single gave the Golden Rams a 4-2 lead.
- The Lady Knights added a run in the fourth and fifth innings to erase the Golden Rams' two-run lead. A leadoff single up the middle by senior Meghan Cunha (Geneva, Ohio / Edgewood) put the Lady Knights on base. Rectenwald drove in Cunha with a double to left, moving to within one of the Golden Rams, 4-3.
- Two quick outs opened the Lady Knights' fifth inning. Sophomore Jen Moran (West Mifflin, Pa. / Fox Chapel) blasted a solo shot over the left-field wall to tie the game at 4-4.
- The Golden Rams looked to take the lead in the fifth, filling up the bases late in the inning. With the ball slipping behind Dunn and rolling to the backstop, Rectenwald managed to charge home to block the runner's attempt to score from third. The Golden Rams' Lexi Trumbetti tried to muscle her way past Rectenwald, as the senior stood strong at home to make the tag without budging despite the runner's attempt to bull her over.
- In the sixth inning, the Lady Knights made quick work of the Golden Rams with three straight ground outs.
- To open the seventh, Martinez bombed her third home run of the season. The solo shot to dead center gave the Lady Knights a 5-4 lead, breaking the knotted contest. A walk to Bates setup a two-run home run by redshirt senior Katie Dunn (Clarkston, Mich. / Troy), who took the ball deep to left field for a GU 7-4 lead. Three straight singles by Moran, Cunha and junior Sarah DiOrio (Hunker, Pa. / Hempfield Area) filled the bases before a ground out to third allowed Moran to score for a Maroon and Golden 8-4 lead and eventual victory.
- Rectenwald struck out one of the final four batters she faced before freshman Kaylyn Shaughnessy (Barrie, Ontario / Bear Creek Secondary) made the final out on a fly out to right.
 
GAME NOTES
- Recording her 13th multiple-hit game, Moran went 3-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and a home run. Cunha and Martinez each collected a pair of hits. Rectenwald posted her seventh double with a run scored and an RBI.
- Rectenwald's double improved her hit streak to 10 games. Martinez is currently on a seven-game hitting streak. Dunn earned her 10th multiple-RBI game this season.
- Martinez, Moran and Dunn each recorded their third home run of the season.
- Gannon outhit West Chester holding an 11-10 advantage at the plate.
- Rectenwald (12-4) earned her fifth straight complete-game victory, striking out six batters. She allowed four earned runs on 10 hits.
- The Golden Rams committed two errors with the Lady Knights recording one.
 
BEYOND THE BOX
- Gannon's win evened the all-time series between the two teams at 2-2. The matchup marked the second time the two squads have met at the PSAC Tournament with each team taking a game.
- West Chester is ranked 25th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Poll.
- The Golden Rams own the second spot in the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings, while the Lady Knights are seventh.
- Joining the PSAC in 2009, the Lady Knights are making their first appearance in the conference championship game. GU is in pursuit of its first conference title. Prior to becoming a member of the PSAC, the Lady Knights claimed the 2007 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) title.
- The Lady Knights' three home runs matched the team's previous game-high this season.
- GU improved to 6-8 all-time at the PSAC Tournament.
 
UP NEXT
Gannon will face the winner of No. 25 West Chester versus California (Pa.) Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. The West Chester-California (Pa.) contest will take place at 11 a.m.