HISTORY MADE: Patriots Win First-Ever Playoff Game, Advance to Face Top Seed

READING, PA – April 28, 2026 – The University of Valley Forge baseball team made program history on Tuesday evening, defeating Penn State-Berks 12-8 in the opening round of the United East Conference Tournament to secure the Patriots' first-ever playoff victory.

In front of 131 fans under overcast and breezy conditions, Valley Forge (13-25) overcame a late deficit with a five-run eighth inning to punch their ticket to the next round against the #2-seeded Penn State-Harrisburg in a doubleheader scheduled for Friday at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM.

CJ Fernandez (2-4) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, striking out three batters while allowing just one hit. Fernandez came on in the eighth inning and shut the door on Penn State-Berks' comeback attempt, preserving the historic victory.

The Patriots jumped out to an early lead, scoring single runs in the first and third innings before plating three runs in the second to take a 4-1 advantage. Valley Forge extended the lead to 7-2 through six innings before Penn State-Berks mounted a furious comeback.

The Nittany Lions scored three runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to take an 8-7 lead heading into the eighth, putting the Patriots' playoff hopes in jeopardy.

But Valley Forge refused to let their historic opportunity slip away.

In the top of the eighth inning, the Patriots exploded for five runs to retake the lead and put the game away. Joey Demirjian was hit by pitch to lead off the rally, and Aaron Zapata followed with a single. Joaquin Velez bunted both runners into scoring position before Gabriel Murphy delivered a clutch two-run single up the middle to give Valley Forge a 9-8 lead.

Zack Haines added an RBI groundout, Brayden Tunnell crushed a triple down the right field line for another run, and Chase Timmons capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to make it 12-8.

Murphy was brilliant at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, 4 RBIs, and 2 runs scored while drawing a walk and stealing a base. The center fielder came through in the biggest moment of the season, delivering the go-ahead hit that sparked the decisive rally.

Asijah Evelyn provided a huge spark with a solo home run in the third inning and finished 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs. Tunnell went 2-for-5 with a triple, 2 RBIs, and a run scored, while Zapata reached base four times (2-for-3, double, walk, HBP) and scored 3 runs.

Brandon Dalmado started the game and pitched six innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits while striking out two batters. Jake Bannon pitched one inning in relief before Fernandez closed it out with two dominant innings.

The Patriots now face their biggest challenge of the season—a doubleheader against Penn State-Harrisburg and a third game if necessary on Saturday. Valley Forge will need to win two games to advance in the conference tournament, but after making history with their first playoff victory, anything feels possible.

The Patriots' playoff run continues Friday with games at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM at Penn State-Harrisburg.