RINDGE, N.H. (May 16, 2015) – Junior catcher Jonathan McGugan cranked a two-run triple to center field to key a four-run seventh inning on Saturday night, as St. Thomas Aquinas capitalized on a pair of Wilmington errors to break a 1-1 tie en route to a 7-3 win at Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field on the third day of the NCAA Championship East Regional, hosted by Franklin Pierce. In total, McGugan drove in three runs on the night.

With the win, St. Thomas Aquinas improves to 28-18-1 and advances to play in Sunday's East Regional title game, slated for a 5 p.m. first pitch. The Spartans will face the winner of Sunday's 1 p.m. game, which will feature Wilmington (35-13) and top-seeded Franklin Pierce (48-3).

With the game tied 1-1, St. Thomas Aquinas capitalized on a pair of Wilmington miscues to plate four runs on three hits in the top of the seventh inning. McGugan had the keynote address of the inning, with a two-run double socked into center field, which scored both sophomore designated hitter Deven Del Priore and senior center fielder Rich Baerga. McGugan later scored while senior third baseman Stanley Susana bounced into an RBI fielder's choice. Susana later scored in turn on an RBI single to left on the seventh pitch of the at-bat by freshman right fielder Giovanni Dingcong.

Sophomore left-hander John Bednarek threw 68 pitches (39 strikes) over the first 5.2 innings on the mound for St. Thomas Aquinas. He allowed one run on just two hits, walked two, struck out one and did not factor in the decision. Sophomore Anthony Morris took over from there and threw the final 3.1 innings to pick up the win (7-2) out of the bullpen. He allowed two runs on five hits, did not record a walk and struck out two.

Senior left-hander Rob Gore took the ball for Wilmington and tossed 90 pitches (62 strikes) over the first 6.1 innings. He was ultimately touched for four runs (three earned) on five hits, walked one, hit a batter and struck out seven while taking the loss (0-3).