RELEASE DATE: 5/02/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PSAC COMMISSIONER STEVE MURRAY UPHOLDS MANSFIELD-MILLERSVILLE PROTEST – GAME RULED NO CONTEST AND REMOVED FROM RECORD

MANSFIELD – Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Commissioner Steve Murray ruled this morning that a protest logged by Mansfield University in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader with Millersville will be upheld and the game will be ruled a no contest.

The game, which Mansfield lost by a score of 6-1, will not count and the result and statistics from the game will be removed from both team’s final records and statistics. It has no bearing on next week’s PSAC playoffs where the Mountaineers are the second seeded team in the PSAC East.

Mansfield’s overall record is now 28-16. The Mountaineers will face off against California University, the number two seeded team from the PSAC West, in the opening round of the six team playoffs on 9 a.m. Monday, May 9, at Shaner Sports Complex in Boalsburg, PA.

The following is a statement from Commissioner Murray

I have received a report of a protest during Game 1 of Saturday s doubleheader between Millersville and Mansfield at Mansfield.  The protest centers on the use and substitution of the DH and pitcher during a contest.  Specifically in question, the protest deals with Rule 7-2 (3) and the associated approved ruling.  The protest occurred prior to the start of the sixth inning when Mansfield was informed that it would lose its DH position and was accordingly registered in the proper manner.

It is my belief that the Protest should be upheld.  The loss of the DH, the #4 batter in the line-up, and subsequent substitution's required to remove the Pitcher from the batting order, in my opinion could have had an impact on the outcome of the contest.

Therefore, the game should be ruled no contest and the results removed from both team's records.  Since the completion of this contest will have no bearing on the seeding for the PSAC Baseball Championship, it will not be completed.