WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Washington & Jefferson earned the first NCAA regional championship and College World Series appearance in program history by defeating SUNY Cortland, 6-3, in the final of the 2017 NCAA Division III Mideast Regional.
Senior pitcher
Riley Groves (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) tossed a complete game on three days rest, holding the Red Dragons to just one earned run, to improve to 10-2 on the season.
"What can you say, I don't think there are any opening remarks that will do justice to what just happened," Washington & Jefferson head coach
Jeff Mountain said. "I am really happy for our guys. They just scrapped and clawed and battled.
"Obviously Cortland's tradition speaks for itself. They are going to make you beat them. They will capitalize on your mistakes. If you are going to be a champion, you need to beat them and I thought we did that. I am just so happy for our players."
After blowing a two-run lead late in the first championship game, W&J fell behind 3-0 in game two before scoring the final six runs of the game.
"Our seniors are tremendous leaders," junior
Mark Merlino (Irwin, Pa./Penn-Trafford) said. "
Nick Vento (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) came up to everyone when we were down three and said we are down three not 10. We have played through worse games and came back from bigger deficits so we knew we could do it."
The Presidents' (38-11) comeback started in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs to tie the game. Seniors
Derek Helbing (Pataskala, Ohio/Watkins Memorial) and Vento hit back-to-back RBI singles to cut the deficit to 3-2. Senior
Nick Gatins (North Royalton, Ohio/North Royalton) tied the game one batter later on a sacrifice fly.
W&J took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth on a single by senior
Kevin Begley (Allison Park, Pa./Deer Lakes) which scored
Ryan Sciullo (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area).
Once the Presidents took the lead, Groves took care of the rest. In the final three innings, Groves didn't allow a runner to reach second base. The complete-game effort was his 10th win of the season, second of the regional and 27th of his career (second in W&J history). He allowed only one earned run in the game. Groves finished the tournament 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA, earning himself a spot on the all-tournament team.
"In all honesty, it just comes down to doing what Coach Mountain preaches," Groves said. "You have to be able to locate two or three pitches. I was able to get ahead on guys and make them hit my pitch. This offense has taken a lot of pressure off the pitching staff this year. They have been hitting all season long. I knew they would support me and they did."
Joining Groves on the all-tournament team for the Presidents were
Adam LaRue (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) and Merlino. LaRue batted .500 (12-for-24) with three doubles, five RBI and six runs scored. Merlino batted .429 (9-for-21) with two home runs, three doubles, five RBI and seven runs scored.
The Mideast Regional Most Outstanding Player went to Vento. He led the Presidents with a .560 (14-for-25) average. He had four doubles, a home run, 11 RBI and seven runs scored.
"It means a lot, but it is a team sport," Vento said. "I couldn't have done it without my boys behind me. Riley [Groves] pitched a great game. I am just at a loss for words."
Cortland finished its season 38-9, failing to make the College World Series field for the first time since 2013. After losing their first game of the tournament, the Red Dragons won five straight elimination games to force the if-necessary championship game. They won the first game, 7-6, to force the winner-take-all championship game.
Coach Mountain is excited for his team to experience what he did at Allegheny College when he competed in the Division III College World Series.
"The planets aligned here and I am just really happy for what these guys are about to experience," Mountain said. "I was in their shoes, about 16 years ago, as a participant. We will enjoy this and celebrate it, but we have a chance."
Highlights:
The final out of the 2017 NCAA Division III Mideast Regional
Groves, Vento, Merlino and Coach Mountain address the media after the game
