NORTH WALES, Pa. - - A six-run fourth inning allowed the Wilmington University baseball team to begin its 2023 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference campaign with a 9-2 victory over Chestnut Hill on Wednesday afternoon at Hostelley Field.
The big punch was a bases clearing three-run double by Tyler Pirrung, but by the end of the inning the Wildcats led 8-0 which was more than enough for Matt Warrington and the bullpen.
The Wildcats (8-9, 1-0 CACC) put runners on second and third with only one out in the top of the first. Eddie Parry hit a sacrifice fly to open the scoring for the visitors.
CJ Deery doubled to start the third before Tyler Pirrung brought him in with an RBI groundout for the 2-0 lead. But it was the fourth inning that the Wildcats separated themselves from the Griffins (6-13, 0-1 CACC).
The Wildcats batted around in the inning, but only used two hits to score their six runs. An error brought in Trevor Adamo but then Adrian Jimenez hit an RBI single to score Erik Grady. CJ Deery walked to load the bases, and Tyler Pirrung split the gap in right center, chasing all three runners home for the 7-0 lead. He would eventually come around to score on a wild pitch as well, making it 8-0 after the top of the fourth.
Matt Warrington pitched the first seven innings, striking out four while only allowing one earned run on five hits. Tyler Brown pitched a scoreless eighth before Dom Grady closed out the victory with a scoreless ninth with two punchouts.
Eddie Parry added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, hitting an RBI single up the middle following a Nick Nocella double.
Adrian Jimenez went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored while CJ Deery, Tyler Pirrung, Nick Nocella, and JJ Killen also all doubled. Tyler Pirrung finished with four RBI while Eddie Parry added two. Matt Warrington improved to 3-0 on the year with the win.
The Wildcats and Griffins will face each other again this weekend, this time at Wilson Field for the Wildcats' home opener on Saturday. The first pitch of the doubleheader is set for 12:00 p.m.