WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College baseball team split its Saturday games at the W&J Invitational hosted at Ross Memorial Park.

Behind a strong effort by senior pitcher Anthony Pass (Clinton, Pa./West Allegheny) and an eight-run fifth inning, the Presidents took the opener by an 8-6 score over the Royals. CWRU limited the W&J offense to just three hits in a 5-1 Spartans' win in game two.

Game One – W&J 8, Scranton 6

An eight-run bottom of the fifth inning helped the Presidents back a strong season debut by Pass. The senior right-hander fired six strong innings, allowing two unearned runs on three hits. Pass struck out four Royals and did not issue a walk in the victory.

W&J did all its offensive damage in the fifth inning. The Presidents scored eight runs on four hits in the frame. The Red and Black took advantage of five walks in the inning including three-straight with the bases loaded. Seth Rosenfeld (Ellicott City, Md./Long Reach) and Tyler Maddix (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bishop Canevin) produced two-run scoring hits to help the Presidents swell the advantage to 8-0.

Scranton responded with three runs on two hits coupled with three errors. The Royals closed the gap with three additional runs on a home run in the top of the eighth.

Down to their final three outs in the top of the ninth, the Royals drew a leadoff walk. However, that was quickly negated by a double play and a fly out as the Presidents preserved the victory.

Justin Giarrusso (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum) logged his first collegiate save with a scoreless ninth. Rosenfeld and Tommy Dietrich (Davidsonville, Md./DeMatha Catholic) finished with multi-hit games in the victory. Rosenfeld tallied three hits and two RBI. Dietrich had a two-hit effort.

Game Two – Case Western Reserve 5, W&J 1

The Presidents' bats were silenced in the nightcap. Case scored single tallies in the third, fifth and sixth inning to take a 3-0 advantage. The visitors then tacked on a pair of runs in the eighth inning for insurance. W&J got on the board in the ninth with an unearned run.

Josh Dezenzo (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington), Brian Feldman (Gibsonia, Pa./Eden Christian Academy) and Jack Anderson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum) finished with a hit each in the loss. Feldman had a double for the Presidents' lone extra base hit.

Bobby Budacki (New Brighton, Pa./New Brighton Area) suffered the loss despite a solid outing. He worked six strong innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits.

W&J returns to action on Sunday when they wrap up the weekend with a single nine-inning game against Case Western Reserve. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Ross Memorial Park.