Kendall Small Breaks All-Time Hits Record But Wilmington Baseball Drops Two to Post, 10-9 and 3-0

Copyright 2019; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Kendall Small. Photo by Dan Lauletta. March 16, 2019 vs. Bridgeport.
Copyright 2019; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Kendall Small. Photo by Dan Lauletta. March 16, 2019 vs. Bridgeport.

WATERBURY, Conn. - - Post comes back to steal game one, 10-9, and the Wilmington University baseball team couldn't solve the Eagles' game two starter in a 3-0 loss on Saturday afternoon at Municipal Stadium.

In game one, the Wildcats' (19-13, 8-8 CACC) Kendall Small broke the program's all-time hits record, collecting his 197th career hit to surpass Mike Godwin and Jordan Oncay's mark of 196 set from 2009-12.

Game One:

A late game comeback again spoiled a Wildcats' lead in the opener, as the Eagles scored two in the bottom of the eighth and two in the bottom of the ninth to walk-off with a 10-9 victory.

Trailing 5-4 after five innings, the Wildcats tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth before Eddie Nevins gave the visitors the lead with a solo shot in the top of the seventh. An error with two outs in the inning allowed the Wildcats to take a 7-5 lead.

Now leading 7-6, Kendall Small broke the Wilmington program record with his 197th career base hit, smashing an RBI double to left field to give the Wildcats an 8-6 lead. Eddie Nevins followed with an RBI single and the Wildcats led 9-6 while only needing six outs.

But the Eagles got two back in the bottom of the eighth innings, hitting a solo homer to start the frame before an error gave the Eagles another run.

The Wildcats went 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth, and the Eagles had another shot. Post started the frame with back-to-back singles before Justin Mears picked up a strikeout for the first out. But Tyler Melko came through with a two-run double, walking off with the 10-9 win for the Eagles.

Dakota Graham and Eddie Nevins led the Wildcats with three hits each while Julian Kurych and Derek Donastorg finished with two hits each. Nevins and Kurych had two RBI each in the contest.

Sean Deely struck out 11 in six innings of work, allowing five runs on nine hits in the no decision. Danny Sullivan came on in the seventh for the final two outs, picking up a strike out, while Rich Albrecht struck out both batters in his 0.2 innings of work in the eighth.

Game Two:

The bats couldn't get going in the nightcap, as Post's starter Matt Goehrig tossed a complete game shutout, only allowing two hits. Goehrig struck out seven batters while only walking one to improve to 3-0 on the year.

Max Carney walked and stole second in the top of the second with only one out, but a line out and a strikeout left the senior on second to end the frame.

Wilmington starter Tyler Campbell was able to leave two runners on base in the first and one more on second in the second. Campbell then got the first two outs of the third inning but the Eagles picked up two hits and a hits batsman to load the bases. A walk then brought in the first run of the game, 1-0.

The Eagles took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, starting the frame with back-to-back singles. Post added a two-out RBI double later in the inning as well, taking a 3-0 lead over the Wildcats.

The Wildcats went quietly in the sixth but collected a two-out single in the seventh by Quintin Ivy. Julian Kurych then reached on an error to bring the tying run to the plate, but the Eagles picked up a pop-up to end the game, 3-0.

Campbell struck out six in 4.2 innings of work, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks. Rudy Gervolino pitched the final 1.1 innings, striking out a pair while allowing one hit.

Up Next:

The Wildcats have little time to think about Saturday's games as they return to action on Sunday in a makeup doubleheader against Goldey-Beacom. The first pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. at Wilson Field.