Saturday, March 17, 2012

STRUTHERS, Ohio - The Westminster College baseball team opened its home opener with a doubleheader sweep over Mount Union. The Titans won game one 3-1 and 5-1 in the nightcap. The Titans improved to 7-5 overall. The Purple Raiders, who were receiving national ranking votes, dropped to 9-4.

In game one, Westminster senior hurler Justin Prejsnar (New Castle, PA / New Castle) pitched his second complete game of the season, while earning his second win. Prejsnar struck out six and walked none. He gave up eight hits and one earned run.

The Titans scored first in the bottom of the third inning after a RBI single from senior Justin King (Fombell, PA / Riverside). Freshman Nick Reinthale (Canfield, OH / Canfield) scored on the play.

The Purple Raiders made it even, 1-1, in the top of the 5th inning when Connor Mathis doubled down the left field line which brought home Jimmy Dobran.

Westminster mustered two runs in the sixth inning to take a 4-1 lead. Senior Steve Perrotta (New Castle, PA / New Castle) started off the inning with a walk, followed by a stolen base. King followed with a walk of his own. After a Mount Union wild pitch that advanced Perrotta and King, Perrotta scored on a passed ball. Junior Kyle Allen (New Wilmington, PA / West Middlesex) would then single in King with a hit to left field.

The Purple Raiders' offense was led by Jimmy Dobran and Connor Mathis who each had three hits.

In the nightcap, Westminster sophomore pitcher Ron Sullivan (Boardman, OH / Canfield) threw his third career complete game, while earning his first win on the season. Sullivan gave up one earned run off four hits. He fanned four and walked two.

The Titans scored in the first inning after a RBI single off the bat of King; Perrotta scored.

Westminster added insurance with three more runs in the bottom of the third inning, with Perrotta, King, and Allen scoring. The Titans added one more run in the fifth inning with an Allen run.

The Titans are back on the diamond tomorrow as they host St. John Fisher (9-2) in a doubleheader at Bob Cene Park.

About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College ranks first in the nation as "Best College for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math," according to Forbes.com. Westminster, a top-tier liberal arts college, ranks third in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Best Colleges guide. Westminster ranked 6th among liberal arts colleges in social mobility, according to the Washington Monthly College Guide, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 376 Colleges" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 42 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.