Phoenixville, PA– The University of Valley Forge Men's Baseball team played host to the Defenders of Clarks Summit University on Monday afternoon.  The Patriots earned their first conference win in the CSAC by a final score of 7-4.

The Patriots found themselves in a jam to start the game.  With bases loaded and only one out, Jeffery Espinal was able to punch out two consecutive Clarks Summit hitters to end the first inning threat.  Valley Forge then jumped on the Defenders quickly in the bottom of the first inning.  It was the Patriot's turn to load the bases.  Joseph Aguiar stepped to the plate and the freshmen delivered in a big way.  Aguiar ripped a single to right field to score Jagger Blough and Waldo Odens Jr. Valley Forge was still in business with two on and two out.  UVF received another big hit.  This time it was freshmen Richard Cosgrove.  Cosgrove roped a single straight up the middle that scored Joseph Aguiar and James Jackson.  After the first inning, the Patriots led 4-0.  

After holding the Defenders to no runs in the top of the second inning, Valley Forge was able to pick up a run in the bottom of the first.  Freshmen Jagger Blough led the inning off with a long double to left.  Waldo Odens Jr. then was able to move Blough to third on a ground ball.  With a runner on third and only one out, Junior Cody Rak stepped into the box and did a great job putting the ball in play to score Jagger Blough.  After two innings of play, the Patriots led 5-0.

With Espinal on the mound tossing an incredible game, the offense continued to add to runs.  After chasing the Defender's starting pitcher after two innings, UVF was able to pick up two more runs in the bottom of the third.  Valley Forge had the table set with a runner on first and second and one out.  Freshmen Jordan Pina reached on a fielders choice and was able to advance to second on a throwing error.  During the throwing error, Richard Cosgrove scored giving the Patriots a 6-0 lead.   Jagger Blough  then delivered another monster hit in a huge moment.  The freshmen from Lancaster roped his second double of the game to score Pina.  After 3 innings, the Patriots led 7-0.  

While the offense was putting up impressive numbers, so was Jeffery Espinal.  The junior from Camden, NJ only allowed 4 hits in 7 and 2/3rds innings.  Espinal struck out 12 in arguable his most impressive outing of his career. Senior Shashwat Chitnis came in and closed the door earning his first save of the season. Clarks Summit able to add 3 runs late but it wasn't enough as Valley Forge won their first conference game in the Colonial State Athletic Conference by a final score of 7-4.

 

Whats Next?

 

The Patriots will play Keystone College Friday the 26th away in La Plume, PA. 


Go Patriots!