Salem University Claims Baseball Small College World Series

DUBOIS, Pa. (May 15, 2025) … Tournament MVP Hunter Rose was 3-for-4 with a grand slam to highlight an eight-run second inning as the Salem Tigers knocked off Penn State Mont Alto 8-3 to capture the first USCAA Small College World Series Baseball title in school history on Thursday at Showers Field.

Penn State Mont Alto (35-18) who advanced to the title game after defeating Penn State DuBois 11-9 in the third-place game, started the scoring with two runs in the second inning. With two outs, Wayne Kissel singled and then Cam Bailey uncorked a two-run blast to right-center to put the Lions up 2-0.

Salem (26-25) responded in a big way scoring eight runs in the second inning. After a leadoff double from Jacob Hurley, a Max Castro hit by pitch and a Jose Lojo single loaded the bases, Rose uncorked his grand slam to give the Tigers a 4-2 advantage.

The damage was far from done as following a Reese Rinna single, Aaron Forbes ripped a two-run shot over the wall in left field for a 6-2 lead. Hurley found his way back to the plate later in the inning and singled through the right side of the infield to plate a pair of runs pushing the lead to 8-2.

Mont Alto made a push late scoring a run in the sixth as Caiden Smith started with a walk and after two outs scored on a Garrett Worth double to left center for the eventual 8-3 final.

Lojo and Hurley was 2-for-3 to join Rose in the multi-hit group for Salem. Freshman Eric Kovach threw a complete game for Salem striking out four and walking only one in picking up his fifth win of the season.

John Copenhaver was 2-for-3 for the lone mult-hit performer from Penn State Mont Alto.

2025 Baseball All-Tournament Team

Apprentice School: Zander Mizelle

Mid-Atlantic Christian: Josiah Collado

Penn State DuBois: Taylor Bolland

Penn State Schuykill: Owen Zimmerman

Penn State Mont Alto: Cameron Bailey, James Sibert

Salem: Aaron Forbes, Jose Lojo, Jacob Hurley

Tournament MVP: Hunter Rose - Salem