The 2012 Bill Giles Invitational began on Thursday, March 22 when Wilmington University Wildcats defeated the Philadelphia University Rams 3-0 at Wilson Field in New Castle, DE.
Wilmington led off their scoring surge in the bottom of the 4th inning when Adam Soley hit a two run home run to put them on the board. The Wildcats added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning off a single by Brendan Fallers. The game featured a great pitcher's duel between Wildcats' pitcher Mike Godwin who allowed one hit in seven innings in a shutout win. Ram's pitcher Jeff Bohus allowed only one earned run in eight innings pitched.
The first round wrapped up on Wednesday, March 28 when the West Chester Golden Rams hosted University of the Sciences Devils at Serpico Stadium. West Chester defeated University of the Sciences 16-6. A seven run third inning was capped by a grand slam home run by Golden Rams designated hitter Matt Baer. Second baseman Joe Wendle (4 for 5, 4 RBI) also hit a two-run single to add to the scoring in the inning. The Devils attempted a comeback in the fifth inning with five runs however it wasn't enough to decrease the deficit.
For the second year in a row and fifth time in tournament history, the Wilmington University Wildcats faced the West Chester University Golden Rams in the Bill Giles Invitational finals. West Chester took the crown by winning the game on Tuesday, April 17 at Citizens Bank Park.
The Bill Giles Invitational was introduced in 2001 and is a college Division II baseball tournament. Taking part in the tournament are West Chester University, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia University and Wilmington College.
