DINWIDDIE, Va. – The Philadelphia University baseball team scored six times in the final three innings, but it wasn't enough as the Rams dropped its their season opener 8-7 to West Chester on Saturday afternoon in the Dinwiddie Challenge.

The Rams (0-1) were down 8-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. Philadelphia's offense scored four times in the seventh and twice in the eighth to close the gap to one run.

In the seventh, Philadelphia took advantage of West Chester reliever Jose McClain's control issues, as his hit the first three batters he faced, to load the bases. Starting pitcher/designated hitter Fernando Garza (Laredo, Texas/Alexander) immediately cashed in with a bases-clearing double to trim the margin to 8-4. Two batters later, second baseman Michael Melendez (Lansdale, Pa./Christopher Dock) drove in his first collegiate run with a double.

The Rams started off the eighth with their first two hitters getting plunked by McClain. Once again, Philadelphia was able to convert the hit batters into runs as catcher David McTaggart (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) and Garza produced back-to-back RBI singles to pull the Rams within a run.

After Philadelphia got within one, McClain got the next three Rams out and recorded a 1-2-3 ninth to end the rally.

West Chester (1-0) got off to a fast start, scoring five times in the top of the first inning. Andrew Gernert had a three-run triple to make the score 4-0 and later scored on an Anthony Salomone single.

After swapping single runs, West Chester plated two more runs in the seventh on RBI singles by Nick Ward and Shane Dressler.

Garza finished the game with three of Philadelphia's 11 base hits, while first baseman Steven Wells (Yardley, Pa./The Hun School) and McTaggart had two each. All nine Golden Rams had at least one hit.

Dalton Reed earned the win, allowing an unearned run on four hits in five innings. Garza took the loss.

Philadelphia returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 28 against St. Thomas Aquinas at 3 p.m. and Slippery Rock at 6 p.m.