Briarcliffe opens USCAA Championships with 7-0 win

HAMPTON, VA. - Sophomore Lee Ranta threw six innings of one-hit ball and freshman Mike Rocco went 3-for-3 with three RBIs as second-seeded Briarcliffe College defeated seventh-seeded Penn State Greater Allegheny 7-0 at War Memorial Stadium Tuesday morning.

Briarcliffe (20-14) advances to face the winner of Columbia Union-Southern Maine CC at 4 pm today while Penn State Greater Allegheny takes on the loser of that game on Wednesday morning at 8:30 am.

The Seahawks opened the scoring in the second inning as Rocco singled in Francis Santos and Sam Braverman later scored on a passed ball for the 2-0 advantage.  After a run in the fourth, Briarcliffe put the game away with four runs in the fifth with two coming on a double by Rocco.  Franklin Reyes had a RBI single and Scott Rader doubled in a run as well.

Ranta threw six innings allowing one hit with seven strikeouts to be named the Player of the Game.  First baseman Dan Rodriguez was 2-for-4 as well for the Seahawks.  Nick Wruble and Corey Collins had the singles for Penn State Greater Allegheny.

BRIARCLIFFE 7, PENN STATE GREATER ALLEGHENY 0

Penn State GA  000 000 0 - 0 3 2

Briarcliffe             020 140 x - 7 11 2

WP: Ranta; LP: Shyosky.  Standouts: Briarcliffe, Rodriguez 2-4, Santos 2 runs scored, Braverman 2 runs, Rader 1-1 (2 runs, RBI double); Rocco 3-3 (3RBIs, double).