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Early Lead Doesn’t Hold As Wilmington Baseball Falls at West Chester, 8-7

Early Lead Doesn’t Hold As Wilmington Baseball Falls at West Chester, 8-7

The Wilmington University baseball team got off to a 5-0 lead but West Chester came back to take an 8-7 nonconference game at Serpico Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

It is the second time in three games played that West Chester (23-8) has gotten the better of the Wildcats (25-9), beating Wilmington six days ago as well.

The Wildcats got on the scoreboard first in the second, using a leadoff single from Sam Goines to eventually score. Sean Feeney moved Goines up to second with a sacrifice bunt before the senior moved to third on a passed ball. Matt Lopes then grounded out to second, allowing Goines to come home for the 1-0 lead.

The bats were at it again in the third inning, picking up four runs with two outs in the inning. Josh Swirchak walked to load the bases and Goines followed with a single through the left side, bringing in two runs before Swirchak scored on a wild pitch. Feeney finished off the inning with a single through the right side, scoring Goines to give the Wildcats the 5-0 lead.

The Wildcats left a runner at third base with only one out in the fourth and it proved costly as the Rams retaliated with four runs on four hits in the home half. With two outs and only one run in, the Rams were aided by a Wildcat error to keep the inning alive. The home team capitalized with two more hits, bringing in three runs total.

The Rams were at it again in the fifth, scoring three runs on four hits, all with two outs and a runner on first. The Rams connected on three straight singles with two outs to score three runs and take the lead for good.

Christian Adorno hit an RBI single in the sixth to draw to within 7-5, but the Rams added another run in the bottom of the sixth, which proved to be the difference in the outcome.

Down to their last out, Frank Samluk hit his second home run of the season, launching one to left to bring the Wildcats to within 8-7. But the Rams induced Mike Annone to line up to first base for the final out of the game for the victory.

Samluk batted 4-for-5 with two runs scored while Goines went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Feeney also collected two hits, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Tyler Newton was saddled with the loss, pitching an inning while allowing three runs on four hits. Starter Rob Gore went 3.2 innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits. Ryan Douglas gave up an unearned run in his 1.1 innings of work, striking out a pair before Peter Monahan tossed the final two innings, not allowing a run while only giving up two hits.

The Wildcats' busy week continues on Wednesday as they return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action at USciences. The first pitch of the doubleheader is slated for a 1 p.m. start.