Press Release Written by Mitchell Coll
NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball fell to the #16 ranked team in Division II in Millersville University, 12-7, Tuesday afternoon at Wilson Field in a nonconference matchup.
The top team in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Atlantic Regional Poll scored in six of the nine innings and led 12-0 before the Wildcats (20-16) scored two in the eighth and five in the ninth to settle on the final score, 12-7.
The Marauders (31-6) scored three in the top half of the first inning due to back-to-back walks to start the game. Millersville scored on an RBI single, a wild pitch, and a first and third double steal.
A leadoff triple for the Marauders looked dangerous initially, but the Wildcats' defense stepped up in a big way in the top of the second. Eddie Parry threw out a runner at the plate trying to score on a sacrifice fly and then Steven Mann induced a pop up to escape the inning unscathed.
Millersville made it 5-0 with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth innings, scoring on a single and a sacrifice fly, but left the bases loaded looking for more.
Matt Boyko came on in relief in the top of the fifth. Boyko made a nice play on a bunt attempt, picked up a strikeout and then threw over to first to catch a runner trying to steal, being one of only two pitchers to throw a scoreless outing in the ballgame.
Jack McDonald took a pitch down the right-field line for a double in the fifth. Tyler Pirrung singled to third, but the Wildcats again left runners on as they grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Millersville scored a single run in the sixth, two more in the seventh, and three more in the eighth and led 12-0.
Tristan Schoendienst broke the scoreless draught for the Wildcats in the eighth hitting a two-out double down the left field line to plate CJ Deery and Shawn Haut.
Erik Grady singled through the left side in the top of the ninth and the Wildcats had the bases loaded with no outs. Tyler Pirrung walked in a run and then Trevor Adamo hit a sacrifice fly that scored Edevane. A Millersville error allowed Grady to score a run and Nick Classie earned an RBI by being hit by a pitch. Mikey Rodriguez batted for the second time in the inning and delivered on a two-out RBI single through the left side, scoring CJ Deery, his second hit of the frame.
The Wildcat's final surge wasn't enough though, as Millersville came out on top 12-7.
Up Next:
The Wildcats will be back in action tomorrow at Wilson Field when they host a single nine-inning game against Alliance, as they will be back in CACC action with the first pitch at 3:00.