York College used another big inning to stay alive in the NAIA Opening Round with a 6-4 win over Clarke University. Playing in their second elimination game of the day the Panthers used a four run eighth inning to move into day three of the tournament and face number one seed Bellevue University.

Clarke took the early lead scoring in the first inning on a sacrifice fly after starting pitcher John Mead (SR/Martinez, Calif) gave up back-to-back singles to start the game. The Panther defense stepped up once again forcing an inning ending double play to get Mead out of the jam.

Josh Roman (JR/Newark, Calif) hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning to tie the game as Billy Johnson (JR/Oakland, Calif) scored his league leading 87th run on the fly ball.

Clarke took the lead again in the third inning before the Panthers tied it back up in the top of the fourth when Garrett Anctil (SR/Clovis, Calif) hit a triple to left center field scoring Michael Johnson (SR/Union City, Calif).

Another run in the fourth and fifth put the Crusaders up 4-2. The Panthers looked to be in business in the sixth inning having the bases loaded with only one out. However, solid pitching by the Crusaders forced an inning ending double play of their own off of the bat of Nick Carney (JR/Pleasanton, Calif).

Both teams were held scoreless over the next two innings before the Panthers got some much needed offense to keep their season alive.

Garrett Anctil had his second extra base hit of the game as he doubled down the left field line and scored Billy Johnson all the way from first. After Roman flied out for the second out Carney walked to put runners on first and second. Joseph Terazon (SR/Miami, FL) (SR/Miami, Fla) hit a single through the right side to tie the ball game as Douglas Rhodes (SO/Derby, Kan) scored from second. Lamar Smith (JR/Rodeo, Calif) then doubled to left center field to score the game winning run and the insurance run to put the Panthers up 6-4.

York wasn't out of the woods yet as the Crusaders had runners on first and third with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Some great defense by the Panthers kept all runners stranded and PJ Matha (SR/Las Vegas, Nev) picked up his second win of the season and gave the Panthers the guarantee of another game tomorrow.

Anctil led the Panthers offensively going 4-for-5 with a double and a triple. Smith was the only other Panther to have multiple hits as he was 2-for-4. Matha earned the win going four innings of relief and struck out three batters. Jarrell Cunningham (JR/Susanville, Calif) pitched two innings of relief allowing two runs while striking out one batter.

York improves to 46-16 on the season and will face Bellevue University tomorrow at 11 am.

Quick Facts:
York broke the team's single season wins record with win 46 tonight. Previous record of 45 was set in 2013.