Home Opener at George R. Walter Field

Pitt Johnstown preparing themselves for another game against West Liberty.


George R. Walter Field was packed with supporting fans for the Mountain Cat's double-header home-opener on Wednesday afternoon, March 28, 2007 against West Liberty State College (West Virginia). Head Coach Todd Williams couldn't have asked for a better day: the field was dry, the sun was shining bright, and a spring breeze to keep his players cool from the low 70-degree weather. UPJ defeated West Liberty with scores of 10-5 and 4-3.

Junior right-hander David Huey (Glen Campbell, Pa) got the win of the first game with giving up one run and seven hits in five innings, while also striking out three and walking none. Josh Farabaugh (Altoona, Pa), sophomore outfielder, hit a homerun and sophomore outfielder, Matt Hanley (Delmont, Pa), drove in two runs. Junior shortstop Chris Turka (Natrona Heights, Pa) had three RBI while junior second basemen Dan Delsignore (Johnstown, Pa) and freshman third basemen Josh Campanella (Allison Park, Pa) both collected two hits.

I was thankful for that win because the boys were pumped for the next game and cheerful during their half hour break in between games. Like usual, I was prepared with bags full of goodies for the boys (Skittles, lolli pops, Starbursts, and Jolly Ranchers) along with a few bottles of Fruit Punch Gatorade for Cody and Parnell (my "6th and 7th roomies"). After the half hour "lunch" break, the boys were ready to play again at 4:00.

Billy Wasko (Bethel Park, Pa), pitched the first five innings, giving up three runs and seven hits. Freshman Andrew deBethune (St. Albeans, Maine) earned his first collegiate win with three scoreless innings and only surrendering three hits. Senior first basemen, Bill Colosimo (Summerhill, Pa), had two hits, while Turka and Delsignore both brought in a run. Thanks to Campanella's two-out walk-off double to centerfield, freshman Brad Dale (Windber, Pa) scored allowing the Mountain Cats to sweep the win away from West Liberty in the bottom of the eighth inning. Campy went 4-for-4 overall with three doubles and two RBI. UPJ has won three straight games and is now 8-10.

Click to view the WJACTV news story on this game.