WATERBURY, Conn. - - Strong pitching performances from Sean Deely and Chuck Delagol set the stage for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference sweep for the Wilmington University baseball team over Post, 9-2 and 2-1, on Saturday afternoon at Municipal Stadium.
The one-two punch of the Wildcats' (22-13, 14-4 CACC) aces has been lethal in the CACC, as they both improved to 5-0 on the mound for the year. Deely went eight strong in the opener before Delagol struck out five in 5.1 innings in the nightcap for the sweep.
The Wildcats got out to quick start in the opener, scoring three runs in the top of the second inning. Rocky Ferrier collected an RBI single in the inning before an error on a bunt brought in two more. Mike Annone hit a sac fly to left field to score Ferrier in the fourth before Julian Kurych made it 5-0 by getting hit by a pitch and forcing in a run.
The visitors blew it open in the top of the seventh with three more runs to push the leaf out to 8-0. Ferrier started the scoring with a sacrifice fly before Max Carney hit a two-run double to bring in Frank Nigro and Dan Hyatt.
That was more than enough for Deely who pitched into the ninth inning. Post (11-19-1, 8-6 CACC) loaded the bases before recording an out in the inning, forcing Deely from the game. A pair of errors with two outs in the inning allowed the Eagles to get on the board with two runs.
Deely struck out three while allowing two unearned runs on seven hits to move to 5-0. Justin Mears relieved Deely in the ninth to finish out the game.
The nightcap was more of a nail biter for the Wildcats, as the teams were tied 1-1 after five complete innings.
Annone reached base on an error to start the top of the sixth before Kurych moved him over on a sacrifice bunt. A Nick Macey single put runners on first and third and Small hit a deep fly ball to center to bring in Annone on a sacrifice fly and the 2-1 lead.
The Eagles put runners on first and second with one out n the sixth to chase Delagol, but reliever Noah Latshaw stepped in and struck out the next two batters to escape the jam.
Dan Hyatt then came to the mound in the bottom of the seventh and worked around a walk and two-out error to leave the tying run in scoring position to end the game. It was his league leading sixth save of the season.
Ferrier went 4-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored in the opener while Hyatt batted 3-for-5 in game one. Carney led the team with three RBI as well. Four different Wildcats collected one hit in the nightcap.
The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday when they host Goldey-Beacom at Wilson Field for the first time. The first pitch against the crosstown foe is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.