Wildcats Hold Off Shippensburg, 13-12, in 2022 Home Opener

Photo of JJ Killen hitting his first homer of the season against Shippensburg on Tuesday. Copyright 2022; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo by Erin Harvey. March 15, 2022 vs. Shippensburg
Photo of JJ Killen hitting his first homer of the season against Shippensburg on Tuesday. Copyright 2022; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo by Erin Harvey. March 15, 2022 vs. Shippensburg

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NEW CASTLE, Del. - - John Mead's diving catch towards the right field line was the 27th out and stopped a Shippensburg ninth inning comeback, as the Wilmington University baseball team won its fifth straight, 13-12, over the Raiders on Tuesday in the Wildcats' 2022 home opener at Wilson Field.

The Wildcats (7-2) used a six-run seventh inning to retake the lead, but it was a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth that proved to be the game-winner. Shippensburg (6-15) scored three in the top of the ninth, but ran out of time as the Wildcats closed out the contest.

The Raiders scored first with a solo homer to lead off the top of the second. But JJ Killen answered in the home half with his first homer of the year to tie the game. Matt Warrington hit a two-out sinking liner to center, scoring Shawn Edevane for the Wildcats' first lead of the game, 2-1.

The Raiders hit a leadoff homer again in the top of the third, but the Wildcats had an answer once again in the bottom of the inning. John Mead hit an RBI single before eventually scoring on a passed ball. With the bases loaded and one out, Nic Hertzfeld hit a sacrifice fly and the Wildcats led 5-2.

A leadoff triple scored for the Raiders before a two-out, bases empty walk extended the inning. The walk came back to haunt the Wildcats, as the Raiders hit a two-run homer to tie the game, 5-5.

Another leadoff triple scored for the Raiders in the sixth and the Raiders scored two more in the inning, jumping out to an 8-5 lead after six full innings.

The game turned in the seventh inning, as the Wildcats loaded the bases with only one out. CJ Deery walked in the first run before Nic Hertzfeld singled through the right side to easily score a run. JJ Killen was trying to score from second on the play, but was thrown out at the plate and the Wildcats still trailed 8-7. Matt Warrington came up with a two-out, two-run single to right and the Wildcats scored six in the inning to take an 11-8 lead.

The Raiders inched closer with a run in the eighth, but it turned out that a two-run, two-out single to left by Nick Nocella in the bottom of the eighth which proved to be the game-winner.

The top of the ninth started with a double and a single for the Raiders. Jack McDonald threw out the runner trying to steal second, but then a double, a triple, and a sac fly scored two runs for the Raiders and bring the tying run to the plate. John Mead chased down a slicing ball down the right field line, sliding to make the catch for the final out of the game.

Alex Krick came on in the seventh and worked out of a two-on, no-out jam by inducing a double play and a fly ball to earn his first collegiate career victory. Xander Emberger came on for the final out of the game for his first collegiate career save as well.

Matt Warrington went 2-for-4 with three RBI while Nic Hertzfeld went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Nick Nocella finished 1-for-5 with two RBI as well. Quintin Ivy finished 2-for-5 on the day.

The Wildcats head to Queens (N.Y.) tomorrow for another nonconference contest, their final tuneup before Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play begins next Tuesday against Thomas Jefferson. Tomorrow's first pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.