NORTH WALES, Pa. - - A three-run fifth inning was too much to overcoming for the Wilmington University baseball team, as Chestnut Hill took the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest, 4-2, on Tuesday night at Hostelley Field.
The Wildcats (9-4, 9-4 CACC) jumped out to an early lead with a run in the top of the first, but the Griffins (9-12, 6-8 CACC) tied it in the bottom of the third and took the lead with a three-run fifth. The Wildcats scored once in the top of the seventh, but it wasn't enough as the Griffins opened the CACC series with a win.
Three straight singles created the game's first run, as Brock Nowell, Quintin Ivy, and JJ Killen all singled with one out in the top of the first. Killen singled into left field to score Nowell from second, giving the Wildcats the 1-0 lead. Shawn Haut lined out to short with runners on second and third, missing the chance to add on.
The Wildcats had a chance to score in the top of the third, loading the bases with one out, but Shawn Haut grounded into a double play to end the threat.
Starter Matt Boyko allowed one hit through the first two innings, and then got the first two outs in third before the Griffins struck. A two-out walk came back to haunt Boyko, as a double to left center chased the runner on first all the way around to tie the game, 1-1.
The Griffins loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth before Boyko got the first out at the plate with a comeback to the mound. A two-run single through the right side ended the night for Boyko, and the Griffins added another with a sacrifice fly, taking a 4-1 lead.
The Wildcats had runners on second and third with only one out in the seventh, but only scored on an RBI ground out by Quintin Ivy. They then left two on in the eighth before going down in order in the ninth to end the game.
Dan Hyatt batted 2-for-3 with a double while Brock Nowell was the only other Wildcat to collect multiple hits by going 2-for-5 with a run scored.
The combination of Justin Barcoski, Dom Grady, and Nick Robino pitched 3.2 scoreless innings while not allowing a hit.
The Wildcats head to Caldwell on Saturday to take part in a seven-inning doubleheader. The first pitch of game one is slated for 1:00 p.m.