WASHINGTON, PA – Brian Tougher's 2-run single and Tyler Ferguson's second complete-game in a row lifted the Redhawks to a 6-5 victory over Heidelberg and into a spot in their first-ever NCAA Mideast Championship game. #24 La Roche will play former AMCC rival #2 Frostburg State for the right to advance to the College World Series.
Heidelberg scored an unearned run in the top of the first and added a second run in the next inning.
La Roche starting pitcher Tyler Ferguson settled down in the third by striking out the side and the Redhawks came to his aid when John Watson scored on a passed ball to make it 2-1.
The Student Princes went back on top 3-1 in the fourth but Franzee Barlamas hit an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning. Ferguson left runners stranded on second and third in the fifth to keep the Redhawks within striking distance and they came through in the seventh.
Colin Feikles scored Dylan Wolsonovich on a sacrifice fly and two batters later Brian Tougher gave La Roche their first lead of the game with a 2-out 2 RBI single up the middle. Ferguson put Heidelberg down in order in the ninth to send the Redhawks into the Regional Championship.
Tougher hit in two while Feikles, Wolsonovich and Barlamas each hit in one. Podvasnik scored twice with Williamson, Wolsonovich, Barlamas and Watson also scoring runs.
Ferguson struck out 9 in 9 innings to improve to 9-2 on the year.