GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Westfield State University (5-1) Head Coach
Nathan Bashaw '03 made a triumphant return to his alma mater as his team picked up a 10-1 victory over Gettysburg College (3-8) at Kirchhoff Field on Friday afternoon.
Bashaw was a three-year starter at shortstop and coached alongside current Gettysburg Head Coach
John Campo for six seasons before embarking on his own career as a head coach at Elms College (2011-13) and Westfield State (2014-22). It was his first trip back to the friendly confines since his final year as an assistant coach in 2010.
The Owls generated the game's first run without the benefit of a hit as Nick Martin was hit by a pitch and advanced around the bases on a steal and groundout. He came home on a passed ball to give Westfield State a 1-0 lead.
Three errors by the hosts helped bring across five runs in the second inning for the Owls. Nick Marshall dropped in a two-run single to right and Max Silverman added another run-scoring single to right field to make it 6-0.
Shane Bogli worked through Gettysburg's lineup in an efficient manner and didn't get into any significant trouble until the fifth inning. Senior
Shane Manieri (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College Prep) belted a double off the fence in center field and came home soon after as
Preston Toothman (Orlando, Fla./William R. Boone) singled up the middle to cut the deficit to 8-1.
The Bullets put runners in scoring position in three of the final four innings, including loading the bases with one out in the sixth inning. Bogli picked up a strikeout and a come-backer to the mound to escape the bases-loaded situation. Two relievers held Gettysburg out of the scoring column in the final two innings.
Toothman finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, while junior
Matthew Peipher (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township) went 2-for-5 with a double for the Bullets. Junior
Connor Sikora (Easton, Pa./Easton) tossed a scoreless final inning with one strikeout.
Marshall finished 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI and Zack Graveline went 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. Bogli went seven innings and gave up one run on six hits with five strikeouts.
Gettysburg and Westfield State are set to play a doubleheader at Kirchhoff Field on Saturday. The opening game is slated to start at 11 a.m.