SPRINGFIELD, IL- The Warriors opened up the USCAA Small College World Series with a win over Penn State- Mont Alto 4-3 in extra innings. Austin Brunk (Macomb, MI/Dakota) pitched 7 innings, giving up no earned runs.

Alex Hacias (Sterling Heights, MI/Macomb CC) led Rochester College at the plate, going 3 for 3 with an RBI. David Woodson (Vallejo, CA/Vallejo) and Ray Yesh (Dearborn, MI/Cabrini) each went 2 for 4. Austin Timmerman (Richmond, MI/Richmond) came in as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning, and brought in 2 runs. Brunk pitched 7 innings, giving up 4 hits and no earned runs. He struck out 2 batters. Ron Carter (Royal Oak, MI/Royal Oak) earned his first collegiate win, pitching 1 inning.

Jeremy Pagano went 1 for 4 at the plate for the Lions and had 1 RBI. Tyler Geesaman went 2 for 4. Chase King pitched a complete game for Penn State- Mont Alto, giving up 14 hits and 3 earned runs.

The Lions got off to a quick start, putting up 1 run in the first inning with a RBI single by Pagano. After two scoreless innings, Penn State- Mont Alto put up another run in the top of the fourth. Rochester College had the bats swinging, putting up 5 hits through 4 innings, but could not put them together to bring around a run. The Warriors finally cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fifth, with Hacias batting in Woodson with a single.

Up 2-1 going into the final two innings, the Lions added to their lead after an error on a pop fly by Hacias. The Warriors answered in the bottom of the seventh, with a late 2 run rally. Ryan Chipka (Waterville, OH/Anthony Wayne) got things rolling for Rochester College with a single. Woodson moved Chipka over into scoring position with his second hit of the game. Hacias battled King to a full count before getting walked, bringing pinch hitter Timmerman to the plate. He brought in Chipka and Woodson with a single to right field.

With the game tied 3-3 after seven innings, Carter came in as relief. Carter faced two batters, holding the Lions scoreless. Spenser McKee (Royal Oak, MI/Mariner) started the bottom of the eight with a single to center field. Chaz Hill (Imlay City, MI/Lapeer East) sacrifice bunted McKee into scoring position for out number one. After a hard line out by Chipka to third, Eric Ramirez (San Antonio, TX/Catholic Central) batted McKee for the winning run.

"The guys were a little nervous at first, but after we settled in we were able to get the big hit when we needed it and it led to the win," said Coach Jordan Ackerman.

Rochester College will take on the winner of Apprentice vs. RMU- Springfield/PSU- Beaver tomorrow, May 8, at 4 PM.