MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - - Eight runs in the final two innings pushed the Wilmington University baseball team to a 10-3 victory over Staten Island on the final day of play at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach.
Trailing 3-2 after seven innings, the Wildcats (3-1) scored three in the eighth inning and five more in the ninth to overcome the early deficit and defeat the Dolphins (1-3).
The Wildcats got on the board first, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. With runners on second and third and one out, a throwing error allowed AJ Tropiano to each while also allowing CJ Deery and Erik Grady to score.
The Dolphins scored three in the bottom of the second to take the lead, getting a two-out, two-run single to make it 3-2. But from there, the Wildcat pitching staff didn't allow another hit from the Dolphins.
Starter Scott Borgmann went the first five innings before Alec Roselli, Brandon Grygo, Alex Krick and Dom Grady all tossed hitless and scoreless innings of relief. That allowed the offense to strike in the eighth inning.
Garrett Quinn led off the eighth with a walk and then was moved up to second on a sacrifice by CJ Deery. Erik Grady tied the game with an RBI single and then Jack McDonald launched a two-run homer to left in the next at-bat to give the Wildcats the lead, 5-3.
Alex Krick walked the leadoff man in the bottom of the eighth but then induced a 6-4-3- double play to escape without any damage.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth inning before Erik Grady hit a two-run double to right center. Jack McDonald added another RBI with a sacrifice fly and then Shawn Edevane capped the weekend with a two-out, two-run single to make it 10-3. Dom Grady came on and went 1-2-3 to close out the victory.
Jack McDonald went 1-for-2 with a homer and three RBI while Erik Grady went 2-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. Zach Walker and Garrett Quinn each added two hits as well. Brandon Grygo picked up his first collegiate victory with a scoreless seventh inning of work.
The Wildcats are back in action next weekend when they travel to Cary, North Carolina and play at the home of the movie "Bull Durham" and the USA Training Center. The weekend starts Friday with a doubleheader against St. Thomas Aquinas at the Durham Athletic Park. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.
