Lancaster, PA - Philadelphia Biblical University advanced to the NCCAA East Region Final by defeating Baptist Bible, 5-4, in the semi-final match but in the final, the Crimson Eagles fell just short of a repeat from last season's miracle run.

Box Score | vs Baptist Bible College (Semi-final)
Box Score | vs Lancaster Bible College (Final)

The Crimson Eagles entered the NCCAA East Region playoffs as the #2 seed after finishing the regular season 3-3 within the East Region. Lancaster Bible College, as the #1 seed, hosted this year's playoffs and got the day started with a 4-3 victory over #4 Valley Forge Christian College.

With LBC having already punched its ticket to the final, #2 PBU and #3 Baptist Bible College played for the chance to earn a national tournament birth and represent the East Region in Mason, Ohio.

After a scoreless first inning, Baptist Bible's Seth Boger nailed a 2-run homerun to give the Defenders a 2-0 lead. The Crimson Eagles responded with one run in the bottom of the second when Jeremy McAlack's (Newtown, PA / Council Rock North) single knocked in Jon Moore (Shelton, CT / Shelton).

The bottom of the third innings is where PBU did most of their damage. Austin Arseneau (Maple Grove, MN / Homeschool) got this rolling with a single, before stealing second and then advancing to third when BBC's catcher overthrew the ball in the attempted putout. With Arseneau on third, Mike Sundholm (Brooklyn, NY / Fort Hamilton) hit a sacrifice fly to even the score at 2-2. The Crimson Eagles would extend the lead to 4-2 when Jon Moore drove a 2-run single, bringing home Nick Schnittjer (Perkasie, PA / Pennridge) and Eric Hodges (Newport News, VA / Denbigh Baptist).

Things got a little interesting when Baptist Bible scored a run each in the top of the 6th and 7th innings to knot the score at 4-4. But some late game heroics with the help of a few errors helped the Crimson Eagles see off the upset bid. Austin Arseneau reached base on an error to lead things off. Two batters later, Arseneau reached second thanks to another error on Jon Sanville's (Duncannon, PA / Susquenita) fielder's choice. The bases were then loaded when Nick Schnittjer walked, setting the stage for freshman Eric Hodges to be the hero. Hodges came through with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Arseneau and putting PBU into the final against Lancaster Bible. Final score, 5-4.

Jon Sanville pitched all 7 innings, giving up only 7 hits, 3 earned runs, and 4 strikeouts.

Against Lancaster Bible College, Austin Arseneau went 3-for-4 while Shawn Moraca (Kerhonkson, NY / Wawarsing Christian) went 3-for-3 but it wasn't enough as the Chargers won the final 9-5.

LBC built a 5-0 lead after the opening three innings and would hold on, despite a fight back from the Crimson Eagles that saw them score 5 runs in the final four innings.

Michael DeLuca (Newburgh, NY / Marlboro) was on the mound for PBU and recorded 3 strikeouts and only gave up 5 earned runs.

Mike Sundholm and Jon Sanville each registered two hits in the final with Sundholm scoring once and earning an RBI while Sanville knocked in 2 RBI. Along with his three hits, Austin Arseneau crossed home plate three times as well. Moraca, who went 3-for-3, scored once and earned 2 RBI.

Coach Haas and the Crimson Eagles will have to regroup for their three game series with Neumann University this weekend in Colonial States Athletic Conference play.

PBU currently sits at 6-28. Having already won 1 more game than last year's team in overall record (6) and conference play (1), the Crimson Eagles will look to improve on that and continue to look to the future within the highly competitive CSAC.