Steubenville, Ohio - The Barons hosted Cal U of PA over the weekend on a sunny, warm fall day. With an 11:00 kickoff and the Baron Fall Festival in town, fans were treated to cider, doughnuts, and rugby. Franciscan started things off quickly with a try 2 minutes into the game. John Bateman took an offload from Andrew Normandin and dotted it down for his first career try as a Baron. Aidan Gibbons slotted the conversion, and the score was 7-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Nick Patryn handled the kick and evaded several tackles as he ran hard up the sideline for the try as Gibbons converted the kick to give the Barons a quick 14-0 lead. Things slowed down a bit for the Barons as they were called for several infractions, giving Cal a chance to move the ball down the field. Cal was given a penalty kick but missed it. Not long after that, Normandin took an offload from JP Kilmer and outran the opposition for the long try. Gibbons made the kick and it was 21-0. Normandin had his hand in on the next scoring opportunity as he set up Jeremy Lemaignen for try in the corner. It was Lemaignen's second try in as many games. Gibbons missed on the conversion from the difficult angle and the Barons led 26-0. The Barons attack kept coming as Gabe Chamblee, Seth Jillson, JP Leatherby and Abraham Schmiesing led the forwards with several runs to set up the backline. Normandin again factored in on a try, offloading to Bateman, as Bateman scored his second try of the match and Normandin's third assist of the day to give the Barons a 33-0 lead with Gibbons' conversion. Normandin continued to be a part of the scoring, tallying his second try of the day with another assist by Kilmer to up the score to 40-0 with Gibbons converted kick. The first half drew a close with a try by Nick Patryn after Ethan Peterson took off on a long run and offloaded Patryn for the score. With Gibbons missing the conversion kick, the score was 45-0.

At the start of the second half, with Cal down to 14 players due to injury and not wanting to forfeit, they continued to play hard and not give up. Franciscan made several changes with their lineup and continued with the scoring as Normandin capitalized on a Cal turnover in their own try zone and he tapped the ball down. Vinnie Prezzia took over on kicking duties with Gibbons sitting out the second half. Prezzia converted the kick, and the score was 52-0. Prezzia then took a lineout pass from Jacob Leerkes and with a few dummy looks to offload the ball, he finally did and Bateman took the offer for his third try of the day. Prezzia made the kick and the scored was 59-0. The Barons received the reset kick and on the next phase, Prezzia fed the ball to a hard charging Leerkes, and Leerkes broke the gainline and rumbled down the field, offloading to Normandin as Normandin ran it in for his third try of the day. Prezzia missed the conversion, and the score was 64-0. After a few phases, Prezzia kicked the ball into open space and Bateman ran it down to get his fourth try of the game. Prezzia missed the conversion, and the score was 69-0. The Barons again moved the ball down the field on a long run by newcomer Sam Chipps, and Paul Callahan made a nice play to offload to Lule Divver for a Divver try and with Prezzia's conversion the score was 76-0. After the reset kick, the Barons were again marching down the field. A misplay on a ball allowed Cal to kick the ball down the field a few times and they were able to pounce on the ball in the Barons' try zone for their first points of the game. The score was 76-5 with the missed conversion. After the reset kick, Cal ran a few plays and moved the ball up the sideline but a penalty by Franciscan gave Cal a penalty kick attempt. Cal was able to add three points on the penalty kick to bring the score to 76-8. After a knock on by Cal on the reset kick, the Barons pieced together a few phases and Prezzia executed an up and over kick as Bateman chased it down and touch it in the try for his fifth try in the game. Prezzia missed the conversion, and the score was 81-8. With a few guys coming out and other guys playing different positions, the Barons were able to see what the young guys could do throughout the second half. Sebastian Bise did well in his time as a wing and moving to scrumhalf. He had a chance for a try but was able to offload to Divver for his second try of the match. Brendan Lacey showed off his versatility as he kicked the conversion and gave the Barons an 88-8 lead. Cal managed to end their day on a positive note as they strung together a few phases and scored at the end of the match and with a converted kick, the final was 88-15.

John Bateman was named Golden Man of the Match with his savvy playing and high rugby IQ of being in the right place at the right time with his 5 tries. Dawg of the match was Abe Schmiesing for his tenacious running and defensive tackles. Despite the score board, Cal played hard and fearlessly with several tough runs and cleanouts and were able to end the match on a good note with 14 players. Their effort was second to none. Franciscan thanks them for being a gracious team. 

Up Next
The Barons will remain home as they take on Slippery Rock on Saturday at noon. The Rock enters this matchup as the #6 team in the nation and the reigning Champions of the Allegheny Rugby Union (ARU). Last season the Barons, suffered their first lost of the year to Slippery Rock in the regular season, and then fell in another close matchup in the ARU Championship. The Barons will most definitely be excited for this matchup, as it is one that they have had circled on the schedule for a long time. It will also be Homecoming Weekend on campus so come out for added festivities on campus and at the pitch above Trinity Health System Field. The winner of this match will get to host a home playoff match on October 21st. 

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