Video Recap at bottom of page provided by College of Technology
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - - A pair of late-game comebacks propelled the Wilmington University baseball team to an opening season sweep of New Haven, 13-12 and 6-5, in extra innings at the Ripken Experience on Friday.
In a matchup of regionally ranked teams, the Wildcats (2-0) used a six-run ninth inning to force extra innings in game one and then a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth in a seven-inning game two to tie the game once again. The Wildcats kept the momentum and won each game in extra-innings.
GAME 1:
The Wildcats trailed 11-2 after six full innings, but tied the game with a six-run top of the ninth to force extra innings. The Wildcats hit three homers in the season opener, getting back-to-back solo shots form Tyler Pirrung and Jack McDonald in the top of the first and a three-run blast from Matt Warrington to make it 12-10 in the top of the ninth.
The comeback started with three runs in the top of the seventh, getting RBIs from Nic Hertzfeld, Pirrung, and McDonald to cut into the deficit, 11-5. Matt Warrington hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to bring the Wildcats to within 12-6 going into their final at-bat.
With runners on first and third and no outs, Shaw Haut grounded into a double play, scoring a run but erasing the base runners. Eddie Perry and Erik Grady restarted the rally with back-to-back walks, and then Matt Warrington put a charge into one to left to make it 12-10.
CJ Deery stepped in and kept the comeback alive with a single before Nic Hertzfeld battled at the plate and put runners at second and third with a single and an error. Tyler Pirrung kept his special collegiate debut going with a two-run run to left center, tying the game, 12-12.
Dom Grady stepped to the rubber and left a runner at second in the ninth, sending the game to extras. Grady again left a runner on second in the 10th and then the Wildcats scored in the top of the 11th. Tyler Pirrung sparked the inning with a single and then the Wildcats had runners on second and third with no outs. Nick Nocella gave the Wildcats the lead with a sacrifice fly.
Erik Grady made a diving stop in the hole but his throw was off line at first, giving the Chargers life in the 11th. Now on third with one out, Dom Grady picked up a big strikeout and then induced a fly ball to right to end the game, 13-12.
Nic Hertzfeld, Tyler Pirrung, Jack McDonald, and Matt Warington all had three hits with Pirrung and Warrington leading the way with four RBI. Dom Grady pitched three scoreless innings with four strikeouts to earn the win.
GAME 2:
Tailing 5-1 with only six outs remaining, the Wildcats once again were on the comeback trail. They scored four in the bottom of the sixth and then one in the bottom of the eighth to walk off the win.
New Haven scored four runs in the top of the fourth and then a single run in the top of the fifth to led, 5-0. Erik Grady brought in the first run for the Wildcats with a fielder's choice in the fifth.
Newcomers Eddie Perry and Trevor Adamo started the sixth with singles and then Shawn Haut walked to load the bases with one out. JJ Killen then deposited a 1-1 fastball over the wall in left for a grand slam, tying the game, 5-5.
Steven Mann pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning and then left a leadoff walk at second in the eighth. Adamo started the eighth with a single and the Wildcats had runners on second and third with only one out. Killen was intentionally walked to load the bases and then Nic Hertzfeld took an inside pitch off the thigh, scoring the game-winning run for the sweep.
Trevor Adamo was the only Wildcat with multiple hits while Killen led with four RBI. Kyle Maxwell went the first five innings, striking out five batters. Tyler Brown pitched a scoreless sixth with two punchouts and then Steven Mann pitched the final two innings for his first collegiate win.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return to the turf on Saturday with a game against another regionally ranked team in Molloy. The first pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Ebbets Field.