BOX SCORE

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. (March 20) - Despite a strong pitching performance from Dylan Pietrantoni, the Saint Vincent baseball team dropped its Presidents' Athletic Conference opener, 1-0 to Westminster.

The freshman right hander worked 9.1 innings, allowing one run while scattering 10 hits. Pietrantoni struck out five Titans while walking just one. His counterpart John Jones, the reigning PAC Pitcher of the Week, tossed 10 innings while allowing just three hits in the shutout. Jones improved his season record to 3-0 with the win.

Pietrantoni did a solid job of pitching out of trouble. In the bottom of the second, the Titans got the leadoff man on before advancing him to second on a sacrifice. Pietrantoni was able to strike out the Titans' hitter for the final out of the inning, stranding runners on the corners. Westminster advanced another runner into scoring position in the third inning before Pietrantoni retired the inning's final two hitters.

After both teams went in order in the fourth inning, SVC had their best chance to score in the fifth inning. After a pair of walks, catcher Brennan Hoffer singled to load the bases with two outs. However, Westminster worked out of the jam, retiring SVC shortstop Matt Loftis on a groundout.

Westminster started a two-out rally in the sixth, getting a single and then a double to put two in scoring position but Pietrantoni induced a fly out to end the threat.

Joe Simsic was hit by a pitch to start the Bearcats eighth inning. After two SVC sacrifice bunts, pinch runner Noah Shahen advanced to third base. However, Jones kept the game scoreless by retiring Dylan Kugler. Westminster saw its eighth inning end when Brennan Hoffer catch a runner stealing with a perfect throw to second base.

Both teams advanced runners into scoring position in the ninth inning but failed to score and the contest went to extra innings.

Brennan Hoffer collected his second hit of the day by ripping a two-out triple to right center in the 10th inning. However, SVC could not bring him home for the go-ahead run.

The host Titans got a single and catcher's interference in the bottom of the 10th inning to set up shop. SVC brought out Kevin Proctor to relief Pietrantoni. The runners immediately advanced to second and third on a balk before a single to left field gave the home team the 1-0 victory.

SVC hosts Westminster for a PAC doubleheader on Saturday, March 21. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.