NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball team split a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader with Chestnut Hill on Tuesday, dropping the first game, 4-3, before walking-off with a 3-2 victory in the nightcap at Wilson Field.
Game One:
The opener was a difference of which team could come up with the two-out hit, as the Wildcats (15-8, 5-3 CACC) left a runner on third in the first and second innings. The Griffins capitalized with a two-out RBI single in the third and another two-out RBI double in the fourth to take an early 2-0 lead.
A pair of unearned runs came back to haunt the Wildcats in the top of the seventh, as the Griffins were able to extend their lead out to 4-0. What looked to be an inning ending double play on a grounder to second, the throw to first was off the mark and allowed the Griffins to score a run and keep the inning alive. Two batters later, a low throw from third couldn't be hung on to at first, scoring another run for the 4-0 lead.
The Wildcats would end up scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the second, cutting the deficit in half. The first three batters reached for the Wildcats, with Dakota Graham singling in Frank Nigro, but Graham was caught at second trying to stretch the single into left center into a double. Max Carney then hit a two-out RBI single to score Hyatt, but the Griffins escaped without further damage.
Frank Nigro started the ninth with a double, and was standing on third base with one out. But the Wildcats could only get one run in the inning on a sacrifice fly, as a fly ball to center ended the game, 4-3.
Kyle Maxwell went the first six innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out two batters while allowing two hits. Mike Cottrell was victim of the two unearned runs in the seventh before Danny Sullivan threw two scoreless frames with two strikeouts.
Luke Johnson went 2-for-4 with a double for the Wildcats while Dakota Graham led the team with two RBI. Frank Nigro also had a double and two runs in a 1-for-3 day.
Game Two:
The Griffins used two more unearned runs to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but then were shutdown the rest of the way by starter Noah Latshaw.
After getting the first two outs in the top of the first, an error sparked a two-run rally. With runners on first and third, a double over the head of the left fielder chased both runs home.
The Wildcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the second inning, but the Griffins escaped with a strikeout. The Wildcats then left two more on in the bottom of the third, before finally striking in the fifth.
Quintin Ivy started the fifth with a single before Brett Nowell walked to put two on with no outs. Eddie Nevins put a bunt down the third base line, and a errant throw brought in a run and put runners on second and third. Kendall Small tied the game with an RBI groundout in the next at-bat.
The Griffins put a rally together in the sixth, and was sending a runner home with two outs. But the relay between Julian Kurych, Kendall Small, and Frank Nigro gunned down the runner to keep it tied at 2-2.
Ivy started the rally in the bottom of the seventh with another leadoff single to right. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position before an intentional walk put runners on first and second.
Kendall Small bounced one to second, but the throw to second was off the mark and traveled into left field. Ivy came home for the walk-off run, 3-2.
Latshaw went six full with two strikeouts and one walk. He allowed two unearned runs on four hits in the no decision. Zach Frederick came on and pitched the seventh, evening his record to 1-1 on the year.
Up Next:
The Wildcats head to West Chester University for a nonconference game on Wednesday, playing in the Bill Giles Invitational First Round. The winner of the game tomorrow advances to play USciences in the championship at Citizens Bank Park at a later date. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
