WASHINGTON, Pa. – In a matchup of perennial NCAA Tournament contenders, the Keystone College Giants used a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to finish off a 5-1 victory over the Washington & Jefferson College baseball team Friday at Ross Memorial Park.

The loss drops W&J to 2-2 overall. Keystone secured the season-opening win to start their 2025 season.  

The Presidents finished with just three hits. Drew Garth (Glenshaw, Pa./North Hills), Zac Stern (Coraopolis, Pa./Montour) and Brendan Cruz (Carnegie, Pa./Chartiers Valley) recorded a hit apiece in the loss.

The Giants opened the scoring with a run in the top of the second inning. Consecutive one-out singles gave Keystone some life. After a fielder's choice for the second out, Carlos Pascual stole second and Andy Rivas trotted home from third base as W&J sent that throw down to second on the steal attempt. The Presidents were quick to answer back with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Stern singled with one out and advanced to second on a groundout. Cruz followed with a two-out RBI single into right field to score Stern.

Keystone regained the lead with a run in the top of the sixth inning. The Giants benefited from a walk and an error on a sac bunt. After an infield single loaded the bases, a wild pitch allowed the Giants to go up 2-1.

The Giants maintained the one-run lead until the ninth inning. Keystone opened the inning with a leadoff runner on a hit by pitch. After two batters were retired, W&J intentionally walked the next Keystone hitter. Griffin Yastremski launched a pinch hit three-run home run to strengthen the Giants lead to 5-1. Keystone retired W&J in order in the bottom of the ninth to seal up the victory.

The Presidents will travel to #14/#17 Case Western Reserve on Wednesday (March 5) at 3 p.m.