NEW CASTLE, Del. - - A complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts and only two hits capped a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader sweep for the Wilmington University baseball team, defeating Goldey-Beacom, 6-3 and 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at Wilson Field.
Game-two starter Chuck Delagol went the distance, striking out a career high 11 batters while only allowing two hits and one walk to secure the doubleheader sweep for the Wildcats (8-10, 5-1 CACC). The team used seven hits and three two-run frames in the opener to start the day.
Game One:
The Lightning (2-14-1, 0-2 CACC) scored in the top of the third inning without recording a hit. A walk, a stolen base, a balk, and a passed ball put the Lightning ahead, 1-0.
But the deficit didn't last long for the Wildcats as Frank Nigro started a rally with a leadoff single to left. Now with runners on first and third and one out, Brett Nowell executed a squeeze play to tie the game before Dakota Graham trotted home on a balk.
They extended the lead the in the bottom of the fourth, as Brooks Ryan hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Max Carney who started the inning with a leadoff walk. Now with two outs, Nigro put one in the gap in left center for a double, chasing Kyle Fries home from second for the 4-1 lead.
The Lightning responded with two runs in the top of the sixth, but the Wildcats once again had an answer in the home half. Frank Nigro was again in the middle of it, hitting a one-out double over the left fielder to score Kendall Small from first base. Now with two outs, Matt Frost raced home on a wild pitch to put the Wildcats back in front, 6-3.
Micky Foytik pitched a scoreless seventh inning before Noah Latshaw pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning. Justin Mears came on and allowed a one-out single, but struck out the final two batters to earn his third save of the year. Sean Deely earned his first win on the year by going the first five innings, only allowing one unearned run on one hit, but walked six batters.
Game Two:
In the nightcap, all Chuck Delagol needed was a first inning run. He allowed a one-out single into center field in the top of the first. He would end up not allowing another hit until the seventh inning.
Dakota Graham started the bottom of the first by getting hit by a pitch before moving into scoring position on a balk. Brett Nowell moved him up to third and two batters later Max Carney hit an RBI single over the shortstop's head for the 1-0 lead.
Delagol struck out two in the second, one in the third, three in the fourth, one in the fifth, three in the sixth, and the final batter in the seventh. He allowed a one out single in the seventh, and left the runner on second with his 11th strikeout of the game.
Max Carney finished with two of the team's four hits in game two. Brett Nowell and Nick Grant added the other two hits.
What's Next
The Wildcats remain in CACC play with their next contests, as they head to Jefferson for another South Division doubleheader on Wednesday. Game one of the doubleheader will be the Bill Giles Invitational First Round Game. The double dip is set for a 1:00 p.m. first pitch in Philadelphia.
