DuBois, Pa. — The Salem University Tigers (35-19) concluded their 2026 season this week at Showers Field, finishing their postseason campaign with a pair of hard-fought contests in the USCAA tournament. Despite a season defined by a high win total and defensive consistency, the Tigers were unable to overcome elite pitching and timely power hitting from their opponents, ultimately falling in the consolation rounds.
Penn State Mont Alto 1, Salem University 0
The Tigers opened the stretch in a classic pitcher's duel against Penn State Mont Alto (34-15) on May 13. In a game where every mistake was magnified, the two squads combined for only 10 hits and a single run.
Salem's Otho Savage was dominant on the mound for much of the afternoon, surrendering only five hits and one run over 5.1 innings of work while striking out five. However, that lone run proved to be the decider when Mont Alto's Carter Fogal connected for a solo home run to right field in the top of the 6th inning.
The Tigers' offense, led by Joe Wintermute who went 2-for-3 with a double, struggled to find the equalizer against Mont Alto's Garrett Worth. Salem's best opportunity came in the bottom of the 7th when they loaded the bases with two outs following a Landon McAlpine single and walks to Aaron Forbes and Cody Thomas. With the winning run in scoring position, Worth induced a groundout to end the threat and the game.
Apprentice School 7, Salem University 2
Returning to the field the following day for the third-place game, Salem faced a high-powered Apprentice School (39-6) lineup. While the Tigers' bats showed early life, they were eventually overtaken by a five-run surge from the Builders.
The game began as a seesaw affair. After Apprentice took a 1-0 lead in the 1st, Salem's Cody Thomas tied the game in the 2nd inning with a solo home run to right-center. The Tigers briefly took the lead in the 3rd inning when Joe Wintermute doubled to right-center, scoring Tyson Shumaker to make it 2-1.
The momentum shifted permanently in the bottom of the 3rd. Apprentice's Lucca Pascarella delivered a crushing three-run home run, highlighting a four-run frame that put the Builders ahead 5-2. Apprentice added insurance runs in the 5th and 6th innings to seal the victory.
Salem starter Conor Thiele took the loss, allowing five earned runs over three innings, while Apprentice's Nick Redman earned the win with a complete-game three-hitter, striking out six.
2026 Season Reflection
Though the final scores in DuBois were not in their favor, the Tigers finish 2026 with an impressive 35-19 record. The team showcased a balanced roster throughout the year, highlighted in the postseason by the consistent hitting of Joe Wintermute and the power of Cody Thomas.
