MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - - The Wilmington University baseball team ended its week in Florida on a three-game winning streak, defeating Queens (N.Y.) on Saturday, 8-2, on the campus of Barry University.
Following a four-game skid in the middle of the week, the Wildcats (8-4) turned things around by winning the final three games, including two over Queens (N.Y.) in East Region action. They Wildcats had 13 hits on Saturday, including three doubles and two homers.
After starter Dan Hyatt set the Knights (4-5-1) down in order in the top of the first, the Wildcats struck in the home half. Max Carney and Kendall Small had back-to-back singles and Eddie Nevins got the scoring started with a three-run homer to left center for his third of the year.
Julian Kurych added to the score in the bottom of the fourth inning, launching a solo shot to left center for his first of the year and the 4-0 lead.
Dan Hyatt needed to work out of trouble in the fifth, working around two singles and a walk to load the bases with no outs. He picked up a strikeout, a shallow fly-out, and an inning ending grounder to second to escape the jam unscathed.
The junior went six full innings, striking out six while allowing one walk and four hits before turning it over to Sean Deely for the final three innings.
The bats broke the game open in the seventh.
Back-to-back doubles to start the inning by Kendall Small and Eddie Nevins started the frame before Frank Nigro added an RBI single with two outs. Gage Walklett kept the inning alive before Dakota Graham smashed a two-run double to left center to give the Wildcats an 8-0 lead.
Max Carney, Kendall Small, Eddie Nevins, Frank Nigro, and Dakota Graham all finished with two hits each while Nevins led the way with four RBI.
Hyatt improved to 2-1 with the win while Deely picked up the save by pitching the final three innings. Deely struck out five while allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk.
The Wildcats return north and will be back in action next weekend with their home opener. WilmU is scheduled to play Bridgeport in a three-game series at Wilson Field, starting with a doubleheader against the Purple Knights on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
