NEW CASTLE, Del. - - A pair of two-run homers was enough for Goldey-Beacom to take down the Wilmington University baseball team, 4-1, on Wednesday afternoon in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action at Wilson Field.
The Wildcats (11-6, 11-6 CACC) left 13 runners on base in the game while Lightning (15-3, 14-3 CACC) starter Jake Heskett went seven innings with two strikeouts and three walks, only allowing one run on seven hits. Wilmington starter Dan Hyatt also went seven innings, striking out eight while allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks. The Lightning hit two-run homers in the third and sixth innings.
Matt Warrington picked up the Wildcats' first hit of the game in the second inning and Shawn Haut put runners on first and second with two outs. But a ground ball ended the threat, leaving two runners on base.
A one-out walk scored for the Lightning in the third, as Marshall Awtry kept one fair down the left field line for a two-run shot.
Quintin Ivy started the fourth inning off with a double, and was standing on third with only one out. The Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs, but a Nic Hertzfeld line drive was caught by the third baseman to end the threat.
Joey Cautillo started the fifth with a leadoff single, and he was standing on third with only one out as well. But a grounder to third, a walk, and a pickoff ended the inning with the Wildcats still scoreless.
Hyatt had two outs and a man on first in the sixth, but Trent Hearn was able to turn on the first pitch he saw and took it deep to right for another two-run homer.
The Wildcats tried to retaliate in the sixth with a two-out rally. Matt Warrington reached on an error before Shawn Haut singled and Nic Hertzfeld was hit by a pitch to load the bases. But Joey Cautillo flied out to center to leave them loaded.
Dan Hyatt started the seventh with a leadoff single and the Wildcats had runners on first and second with only one out. Brock Nowell put the Wildcats on the board with an RBI single to right, but was thrown out at second on the play for the second out. The one run would be all the Wildcats would get in the frame.
Shawn Haut hit a one-out double in the eighth and the Wildcats again put two runners on with a walk. But a fly ball ended the inning and the Wildcats were still down, 4-1.
The Wildcats again had two runners on in the ninth with only one out, but a line drive to the left fielder and a strikeout ended the game in favor of the Lightning.
Shawn Haut went 3-for-3 with a double while Quintin Ivy went 1-for-3 with a. double. Dom Grady and AJ Stento pitched scoreless innings of relief for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats will look to snap a two-game losing streak on Friday when they host Bloomfield in a cross-divisional doubleheader at Wilson Field. The two seven-inning games will begin at 12:00 p.m.