CENTER VALLEY, Pa.- André Butler hit a bases clearing triple and later scored to tie the game at 4-4, but the host DeSales University Bulldogs plated a pair of two-out runs in the eighth to top Eastern 8-6 in the first game of an important three-game set.

DeSales starter Colby Pacillo had things working early. The junior right-hander stayed out of trouble and picked up a pair of double-play balls to get out of any danger through the first six. 

Eastern starter Ernie Stiegler allowed a pair of runs in the first and two more in the sixth, but the junior right-hander battled throughout and kept his team in the game despite the impressive performance by his counterpart. Head coach Matt Midkiff praised Stiegler's effort.

"Ernie pitched really well," he said, "it seemed that he just couldn't get a break when he needed it." All six DeSales runs scored with two outs.

The Eagles starter to pick up a couple breaks in the seventh when Mark Royer hit a smash to third off a glove for a base hit. Devon Ziegenfuss then found a hole up the middle for a ground ball single. After a double steal and a strike out, Dillon Schwartzer walked to bring Butler to the plate. The senior center fielder turned a on an inside pitch and pulled it directly over the bag at third to plate all three base-runners. Butler then scored one batter later after he advanced to third on a  wild pitch and scored on a ground ball to short by Scott Renauro. Butler and Renauro each have 17 RBIs for the Eagles (13-7, 4-3 Freedom).

After Stiegler retired the first two batters in the eighth the Bulldogs (12-7, 6-1 Freedom) loaded the bases on a single and a pair of walks. John Taylor came on in relief and got a ground ball, but the three hopper over the bag glanced off Schwartzer's glove and two runs scored.

Renauro doubled to left to start the ninth, but the Eastern rally stalled against the solid DeSales Bullpen. The double, the 151st hit of Renauro's career, puts him alone atop Eastern's career hit list. The senior second baseman also holds the University record for career RBIs.

With bad weather forecast for tomorrow, the final doubleheader of the series have been moved to Sunday at 1 pm at Eastern.