CHESWICK, Pa. - The Franciscan rugby team rolled to an 80-12 win over California (PA) Friday night in the opening match of the 2018 Three Rivers Rugby Conference playoffs.

The Barons improved to 5-0 on the season with the win and have earned a spot in the 3RRC championship match. Franciscan will face the winner of the Robert Morris/Pitt.-Johnstown game next week.

Jake Reinstein, Loren Shillinglaw, and Kian McCormick all earned their first starts of the season and took advantage of the opportunity.

"We are working through a few injuries and still trying to find the best spots for everyone," remarked head coach Dan Kramer. "This was our first legitimate match in three weeks and the team was primed to play against a new opponent. We finally cut down on penalties, something that has been plaguing us all season. I thought our execution on both sides of the ball was excellent. Our players were offloading at pace and running some great supporting lines."

The scoring opened with a try and a kick conversion by Matthew Hostutler. The Barons won a defensive scrum and were able to move the ball through hands quickly to get it to Hostutler.

McCormick scored his first try of the season a few phases after an attacking scrum. Franciscan went wide right before coming back to the left quickly. McCormick has a good step and great speed and was able to get around the defense.

Rafe Lewis had a beautiful try midway through the first half on a show and go off an attacking scrum. The defense bit on a hard run by PJ Ernst only to have Lewis keep the ball and go untouched from about 30 meters out.

Additional tries in the first half came from Josh Leatherby, Lewis, and Jake Reinstein. Hostutler was a perfect 6-for-6 on conversions in the first half to give Franciscan a 42-0 lead at the break. 

The Barons utilized their entire bench over the course of the second half and got tries from Lewis, Leatherby, two from Brendan Pedulla and Jacob Borden, and Hostutler. Dan Rollino nailed his only conversion in the second half as well.

Jake Goduti named the Barons Man of the Match following the contest.

"We switched him to 13 (outside center) this week and I think it was a good fit for the team and lines up well with his athletic ability," complimented Coach Kramer. "While he did not score, he was constantly a threat and forced the defense to stay spread which opened up holes for his teammates. He put his body on the line for his teammates for all 80 minutes."

The 3RRC Championship match is scheduled for Saturday, October 27 at 5:00 pm. The Barons will take on the winner of the RMU/UPJ game at 5:00 pm at Founders Field.