WEST LAWN, PA – The Chowan University baseball team dropped a 12-6 decision to West Chester University in the opening round of the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament here Thursday afternoon. The Hawks move to 26-25 on the season with the loss.

Thursday, The Golden Rams struck first in the contest using an RBI double in the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Jack Downum’s two-run single in the second gave Chowan a 2-1 edge but an infield single and bases loaded walk gave West Chester a 3-2 advantage in the bottom of the frame. A bases loaded walk in the bottom of the third pushed the Golden Rams ahead 4-2.

Connor Arcobasso’s RBI single in the fourth gave the Hawks an additional run but West Chester answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning to take a 5-3 advantage, then plated four runs in the fifth to take a 9-3 lead. Chowan responded in their next at-bat, scoring one run off a West Chester error. Trailing 9-4, the Hawks mustered an additional run in the seventh using Josh Martin’s RBI groundout. West Chester added two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to take a commanding 12-5 lead. The Hawks mustered one additional run in their final at-bat after a fielder’s choice by Wade Wyatt Jr. allowed Aaron Flanagan to score, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit as Chowan suffered the six-run setback.

Downum recorded two hits and two RBI in the setback while Zach Cooper paced the Hawks with three hits on the afternoon. Cody Smith was credited with the loss after allowing four runs (four earned) in 2.1 innings of work. Bailey Lipscomb, Scott Edge, and Will Edwards each entered the contest in-relief of Smith.

Chowan faced East Stroudsburg in the elimination game on Friday, but that contest was not completed by press-time.