WATERBURY, Conn. – Thomas Jefferson University baseball team (25-13, 13-6) went on the road on Sunday to take on Post University (22-19, 17-6) in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) action. The Rams took game one 13-8 in eight innings, but fell in game two against the Eagles 5-3.
 
WHAT HAPPENED
GAME ONE: W, 13-8 (EIGHT INNINGS)
Post got to an early three run lead from a double and a two-run single at the bottom of the first. Justin Espinal hit a single to right field, allowing Joshua Lopez to have room for the first Rams' run of the day. Jordan Tiburcio got Gabe Silva to homeplate as well with a single to right field, letting Jefferson trail by one score.
 
 A walk with the bases loaded in the third for Jefferson tied it up while Chris McLean sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth gave Tiburcio the run and a lead for the Rams. The Eagles evened it out with a score from a single to the shortstop. The game remained scoreless through the next three innings. Jefferson had an opportunity to take the lead with Joshu. Lopez on third and Silva getting a stolen base at second, but Post earned the strike out to keep it even at 4-4 and send game one to extra innings.
 
The Rams offense began to spark in the top of the eight, scoring nine runs in that inning. Alex Gonzalez capitalized on a throwing error to third base to round them quickly and score for Jefferson, getting ahead 5-4. Josh Lopez went to bat and delivered a three-run homerun in the game, his 17th on the season that helps him rank eighth in the nation in that category and first in Division II in homeruns-per-game (.50).
 
Joshu Lopez and Silva's singles brought two more runners to homeplate. Silva stole home for another score. Tiburcio netted another single RBI for a run and Justin Egner double to left field ended the eighth for Jefferson as they held a 13-4 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth. The Eagles bounced back with four runs, but the Rams held strong to the 13-8 lead and earned a victory in game one.
 
QUICK HITS
Justin Egner: 3-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
Josh Lopez: 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Joshua Lopez: 3-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI
Gabe Silva: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI
Jordan Tiburcio: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI
Tyler Behm: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 SO
 
GAME TWO: L, 5-3
The Rams got out early with a two-run double by Joshu. Lopez, going up 2-0 off the top of the first inning. Post responded in the bottom of the same inning by way of a sacrifice fly score and a single to center field, tying it at 2-2.
 
Tiburcio helped the Rams retake the lead with a single to center field as the score went back into Jefferson's favor 3-2. Post threatened in the fourth with a runner on third, but a fielder' choice held the Rams' lead. The Eagles responded in the sixth, getting three runs from a wild pitch and a two-run run single through the right side. Jefferson looked to tie the game or take the lead as the tying run was on first base, but a strikeout swinging ended the Rams' comeback and fell to Post 5-3 in game two.
 
QUICK HITS
Chris McLean: 2-for-2, 1 R
Joshua Lopez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
Jordan Tiburcio: 1-for-3, 1 RBI
Sean Morgan: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 5 SO
 
UP NEXT
Jefferson stays atop of the CACC South Division, looking to maintain their hold in the conference standings for the playoffs. The Rams will put their stake at a first-round bye on the line this Tuesday, April 23 as Jefferson travels close by to take on division rival Holy Family University in a single game at 2 p.m.