Rain‑Delayed Finale at the Atlantic 10 Championship
The Saint Joseph's Hawks saw their Atlantic 10 Championship run cut short on Thursday, falling 13‑3 to Virginia Commonwealth University in the consolation bracket final. The contest was halted by rain after five innings, only to resume the following day under clearer skies.
Christian Coppola, who entered in relief, delivered a solid outing, striking out seven batters over four and one‑third innings. His performance kept the Hawks within striking distance, but VCU’s offense exploded in the seventh inning, where they plated ten runs to seize a decisive lead.
The loss capped a season that will be remembered for its historic achievements. The Hawks finished with a school‑record 36 victories, captured their second Atlantic 10 regular‑season title, and also secured the Liberty Bell Classic championship for the fourth time in program history.
Offensive contributors for Saint Joseph's included Joey Pagano, who went 2‑for‑4 with an RBI, and Alex Kelsey, who extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a run scored and a run driven in. Tim Dickinson also added a run and an RBI to the effort.
Despite the final outcome, the team’s resilience was evident throughout the tournament. Their ability to rally after the rain delay and maintain a strong hitting rhythm underscored the depth of talent on the roster, featuring players such as Zachary Peters, Andrew Gaines, Carson Applegate, Joey Gale, Alec Warden, Jacob Lee and Nick Flores.