PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - John Mead broke a 6-6 tie with a two-run double in the top of the seventh as the Wilmington University baseball team salvaged a split at Jefferson, falling in the opener, 5-2, before securing the series win in the nightcap, 9-7, on Sunday at Alumni Field.
In game two, Quintin Ivy hit a two-run homer in the third inning, accounting for his 21st career home run and tying the Wilmington baseball program's career record, held by Jason Rust since 2007.
GAME 1:
The bats failed to get going in the opener, as the Rams (10-11, 2-3 CACC) tied the season series, 1-1, with a 5-2 win.
A triple and a ground out in the first inning put the Rams in front early in the game. But then starter Matt Boyko settled in and pitched the next five innings with scoreless baseball, waiting for the bats to come around.
The Wildcats didn't get anything going until the top of the sixth, leaving single base runners on in each of the third, fourth, and fifth innings. With two outs and Quintin Ivy on third, Shawn Haut singled to third base, as an error allowed Ivy to score and tie the game, 1-1.
Scott Borgmann replaced Boyko in the seventh, but the Rams were able to figure out the freshman. A double started the inning and he came around to score on a bunt as Borgmann threw the ball away to first base. Now with the bases loaded, the Rams hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1 before Borgmann induced a ground ball to get out of the inning.
Shawn Haut brought the Wildcats back to within a run in the eighth with a two-out single, but he was gunned down at second trying to stretch the single into a double to end the inning, leaving the tying run at third base.
The Rams tacked on two more insurance runs in the eighth with a two-run homer to close out the scoring.
John Mead and Shawn Haut each went 2-for-4 while Haut led with his two RBI.
GAME 2:
It was the extra base hit that carried the Wildcats in the nightcap, allowing them to split with the Rams and win the regular season series, 2-1.
John Mead got the scoring started with a two-run bomb in the top of the first. He has now homered in four of his last five games overall.
The Wildcats broke it open in the top of the third inning, as the top of the order came back around. Logan Strauss singled and then Nick Nocella doubled him home for the 3-1 lead. Quintin Ivy then stepped in and launched his 21st career home run, giving the Wildcats a 5-1 lead. After John Mead walked, Shawn Haut plated him with a double for the 6-1 lead.
The Rams cut into the deficit with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, and then tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with three runs on four hits.
With two outs and two on in the top of the seventh, John Mead doubled down the right field line, scoring both runners and giving the Wildcats the lead once more. Shawn Haut followed with another RBI single, and the Wildcats led 9-6 while looking for three more outs.
Alex Krick came on to pitch the seventh and gave up a one out double and a two-out RBI single, but induced a fly ball to end the game and earn his first save.
Nick Nocella, John Mead, and Shawn Haut all finished with two hits while Mead led all with four RBI. Ivy and Haut had two RBI as well.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return home and play a pair of games against PSAC foes this week. They host West Chester on Tuesday with the first pitch slated for 3:00 p.m.