FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield splits with West Chester to stay alive for playoff berth – Host East Stroudsburg in regular season finale Monday

Game One Boxscore
Game Two Boxscore

MANSFIELD – Joe Candelmo threw a complete-game five-hitter to lead Mansfield to a 4-3 win over West Chester in the opening game of a key PSAC East doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Shaute Field to extend Mansfield chances for a PSAC playoff berth.

West Chester scored three runs in the top of the seventh and then held off a Mansfield rally to win the nightcap 8-7.

The split keeps alive Mansfield's PSAC playoff hopes for another day.

The Mountaineers had to at least split with West Chester and now must sweep East Stroudsburg to guarantee a playoff berth. If Mansfield splits with East Stroudsburg on Monday, a coin-toss will be held after the doubleheader to determine if Mansfield or Kutztown advances as the fourth and final seed from the PSAC East.

In the opener, Mansfield fell behind 1-0 when West Chester scored an unearned run in the top of the first. Mansfield took the lead in the bottom of the third on a two-run single by Kevin Miller.

West Chester tied the score at 2-2 with a run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Dylan Zigman before Mansfield scored what would prove to be the winning runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Jon Taddeo walked to lead off the bottom of the fifth and went to third on a single by Seth Tressler. Taddeo then scored on an errant pickoff throw before Tressler scored what would prove to be the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Dylan Woodworth.

West Chester closed the gap to 4-3 with a run in the top of the sixth.

But Candelmo retired the side in order in the seventh, including a strikeout on a full-count to end the inning and win the game.

Caldelmo, who threw just 76 pitches including 49 strikes, allowed only five hits while striking out one and walking none improving to 6-4 on the season. Tressler went 2-3 and scored twice while Miller drove in two runs for Mansfield.

Matt Zielinski went the distance for West Chester striking out four and walking three to fall to 1-4 on the season.

The nightcap was a back-and-forth nail bitter that saw five lead changes.

After two perfect innings by both teams, West Chester drew first blood with a run in the third on an RBI single by Mike Raimo.

Mansfield answered with three runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning, the first coming on an RBI double by Miller, before Mike Hartz plated another run on a fielder's choice. Mansfield got its third run of the inning when Miller scored on a passed ball.

West Chester got a run back in the top of the fourth when Joe Wendle doubled down the line and later scored on a throwing error to close the gap to 3-2. Mansfield responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Tressler, increasing the lead to 4-2.

In the top of the fifth, West Chester got its first two runners on to chase Mansfield starter Andy Young from the mound before Joe Wendle greeted Mountaineer reliever Joel Worthington with a two-run double to tie the score and a RBI single by Brandon Wolfe put West Chester up 5-4.

Mansfield retook the lead in the bottom of the inning with Mike Hartz leading off with a single and the Mountaineers loading the bases with no outs when Brian Milliman doubled in two runs and a 6-5 Mansfield lead.

Neither team managed to score in the sixth, although both had runners reach second.

In the dramatic seventh, Raimo led off with a double and later scored on a wild pitch to tie the score at 6-6 before the Golden Rams loaded the bases with no outs. Wolfe then delivered a ground single up the middle, scoring two runs, giving West Chester an 8-6 lead.

Mansfield staged a final rally attempt in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Milliman walked on a 3-2 count and Glen Jenkins singled to center. Levi Weiskopff then delivered a pinch hit single that scored a run and pulled Mansfield to 8-7 with runners at first and second.

But Tressler's long drive to centerfield was chased down Raimo to end the game.

Tressler went 2-5 with an RBI to lead Mansfield offensively while Worthington was charged with the loss.

The split eliminated West Chester from playoff contention and ended the Golden Rams season with a 22-21 overall and 10-14 PSAC East mark.

Mansfield is now 21-16 overall and 10-12 in the PSAC East. Bloomsburg earned a spot in the playoff with the split leaving Mansfield, East Stroudsburg and Kutztown still alive for the fourth and final playoff spot.