PHILADELPHIA - The Thomas Jefferson University baseball team produced solid pitching and timely hitting to defeat visiting Wilmington (Del.), 4-1, in the quarterfinals of the CACC Tournament on Monday.
 
The Rams (22-10), who are the second seed in the South Division, will host fourth-seeded Chestnut Hill for a semifinal game on Thursday, May 13 at 2:30 p.m. after the Griffins upset top-seeded Goldey-Beacom, 9-6, on Monday.
 
GAMEPLAY
Jefferson's Jack Galligan and Wilmington's Dan Hyatt engaged in a pitching duel through the first four innings with neither hurler conceding a run. Galligan allowed just one baserunner during the stretch and did not allow a hit until the leadoff man in the fifth reached on a single to center field. During the frame, the Wildcats loaded the bases with one out but Galligan recorded a strikeout and a fly out to escape the jam and keep the game scoreless.
 
The Rams used the momentum to put three runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Dylan Rees singled to right center and Alex Gonzalez doubled to left. Ryan Coyle followed with another double to bring home both runners and put Jefferson in front 2-0. Efrain Santiago was later hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and the score was 3-0.
 
Wilmington cut the deficit to two with a run in the seventh on a base hit. In its last chance for insurance, Jefferson pushed across a run in the bottom of the eighth to make the score 4-1. Zack Austin singled with two outs then Joe Cencetti smacked an RBI triple into the right field corner. Matt Bukavich came in for the ninth and struck out the side for his fifth save of the season.
 
QUICK HITS
Alex Gonzalez: 2-4, 2B, R
Ryan Coyle: 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Efrain Santiago: 1-3, 2B, RBI
Joe Cencetti: 1-4, 3B, RBI
Jack Galligan: Win, 5.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 4 K