WILMINGTON, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball team extended its winning streak to six games on Friday, riding the arms of their starters in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader at Goldey-Beacom, 6-5 and 7-1, at Doyle Field.
The Wildcats (21-14, 17-5 CACC) used a five-run seventh inning to come back in the opener before jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the nightcap to earn the sweep. Game one starter Zach Rumford struck out 10 while going eight innings before Brad Scull went the distance with 11 strikeouts in a seven-inning complete game in the nightcap.
Game One:
The Wildcats scored first in the opener in the top of the third, but the Lightning (14-24-1, 12-12 CACC) responded by scoring two runs in the third, one in the fourth, and two more in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-1 lead.
The Wildcats retaliated in the top of the seventh to swing the momentum. With one out, Dakota Graham was hit by a pitch and Gage Walklett and Brooks Ryan walked to load the bases. A wild pitch brought he first run in before Christian Adorno singled in a run to get the Wildcats to within 5-3. Max Carney hit a sacrifice fly for the second out of the inning before an error allowed two runs to cross for the 6-5 lead.
Rumford struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh and then induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the bottom of the eighth to end his day. Justin Mears checked in and allowed a one out single but picked up a strikeout and induced a grounder to end the game.
Rumford struck out 10 batters while allowing five runs on seven hits. He did not allow a walk while improving to 5-2 on the year. Mears picked up his sixth save on the season.
Six different Wildcats collected one hit in the game with Christian Adorno and Max Carney picking up an RBI in the win.
Game Two:
The Wildcats started game two with a single run in the top of the first and three more runs in the top of the second to take control of the nightcap.
Kendall Small hit a two-out RBI single to center in the top of the first before they put three more on the board in the top of the second. All the runs in the second came with two outs in the inning.
Nick Macey started the inning with a leadoff double but the Lightning picked up two strikeouts. Kyle Fries followed through with an RBI single to left center for the 2-0 lead. Brooks Ryan singled and Christian Adorno walked to load the bases. Max Carney hit a double to right center to score two more, giving the Wildcats a 4-0 lead after two.
Game two starter Brad Scull gave up an unearned run in the bottom of the second but retired eighth straight from the third to fifth innings. He struck out three in the sixth and left a two-out single on first in the seventh to secure the sweep.
Adorno walked with the bases loaded in the sixth before Max Carney finished the scoring with a bases loaded, two run single through the left side for the 7-1 lead.
Scull improved to 8-1 on the year with striking out 11 batters with only two walks. He allowed one unearned run on five hits. Max Carney went 2-for-4 with a double and four RBI while Nick Macey went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.
Up Next:
The Wildcats return to CACC action on Saturday afternoon, as they head to Bloomfield for a cross-divisional doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.