Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Julian Kurych against Bridgeport, taken by Joseph Craig.
KUTZTOWN, Pa. - - The Wilmington University baseball team had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but Kutztown was able to pull out the 6-2 nonconference victory on Wednesday afternoon at North Campus Field.
The Wildcats (6-15) scored in the top of the first inning but the Golden Bears retaliated by scoring six unanswered runs, including a three-run sixth inning to take control of the contest.
The offense couldn't come up with the big hit again on Wednesday, as the team had multiple opportunities. They collected eight hits on the day, but left 12 runners on base including five in the final two innings.
The Wildcats were able to score first however, getting a two out single from Christian Adorno in the top of the first. His single scored Julian Kurych who started the rally with a one our double to right.
The Golden Bears tied the game in the bottom of the second though, getting a leadoff sole shot down the left field line off starter Rudy Gervolino. Kurych started the top of the third off with a single, but a double play with two runners on ended the threat for the Wildcats. Kutztown took over from there.
The home team put their first two runners on base in the bottom of the third, and scored their first run on an executed squeeze play. A two-out single back up the middle then put the Golden Bears up, 3-1, after three full.
The Wildcats put runners on base with one out in both the fifth and sixth innings, but couldn't bring them around to score. Kutztown then added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Brady McNab doubled to the gap in right center to chase all three runs home and take a 6-3 lead.
Back-to-back walks in the eight put two Wildcats on, but Regan Hidalgo's liner was right at the center fielder that recorded the final out of the inning.
Kyle Fries started the top of the ninth with a double down the right field line before back-to-back ground outs brought him home. Kurych and Dan Hyatt walked to keep the inning alive and Adorno singled to lead the bases and bring the tying run to the plate. Kutztown got Rocky Ferrier to fly out to center to end the threat, and the game, 6-2.
Kurych went 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored while Adorno and Fries added two hits each. Gervolino fell to 0-2 in allowing three runs (one earned) in 2.2 innings. Chris Lopez tossed 3.0 innings and struck out two, but was charged with the three runs in the sixth. Zach Frederick and Matt Frost tossed scoreless innings to close things out.
The Wildcats look to get back to their winning ways in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, as they host Dominican on Friday in a doubleheader at Wilson Field. The Wildcats are in first place in the CACC with a 4-0 record. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Friday.