FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - - Both squads tallied eight runs in one inning but it was Nova Southeastern who got the last laugh, defeating Wilmington University, 10-9, with a walk off single in the bottom of the ninth in nonconference baseball action at the NSU Baseball Complex on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats (5-5) fell for the third game in a row, even after scoring eight runs in the third and tacking on another run in the fourth to lead 9-0 after four full innings. But back came Nova Southeastern (10-7) in the fifth inning, as it put up an eight spot and added the game tying run in the sixth to climb all the way back.
The Sharks helped Wilmington in the third as well as the Wildcats scored all their runs with two outs in the inning, with all the runs coming unearned to the pitcher. After Jonathan Rodriguez and Brendan Fallers reached on a walk and a throwing error, the Sharks recorded two outs to take back control in the inning. But Josh Hampton, Matt Lopes, and Joe Marciano worked back-to-back-to-back walks to bring in the games' first two runs. Joe El-Bisi broke it open with a single through the right side, scoring two more for the 4-0 lead. Brandon Payne took the first pitch he saw and singled into right field for another RBI and the 5-0 lead.
With the lineup coming back around, Rodriguez reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, scoring El-Bisi and putting runners on second and third. Brendan Fallers singled back up the middle to clear the bases and cap the eight run inning with two RBIs and give the Wildcats the 8-0 lead.
Wilmington added another unearned run in the top of the fourth inning as Marciano reached on another throwing error by the shortstop, allowing Castro to score from second base and giving the Wildcats a 9-0 lead.
On another night in which the Wildcats used a staff night on the mound, using eight different pitchers for the second night in a row, the Nova Southeastern comeback started in the fifth inning with freshman Peter Monahan on the hill.
The Sharks got eight back in the top of the fifth and eventually tied the game with a run in the sixth off Jarrett Shaffer.
It looked as though the Wildcats were going to retake the lead in the eighth inning as Fallers led off the inning with a double inside the third base bag. Standing on third with one out, Castro attempted a squeeze play and Fallers came barreling down the third base line. Sliding head first, Fallers seemed to have beaten the tag applied to his back but the umpire punched him out for the second out of the inning.
Tim Racek threw 1.1 innings of scoreless baseball before Tyler Fries kept the score at 9-9 with a pair of timely strikeouts with runners on first and second in the eighth inning.
The home team gained momentum in the bottom of the ninth on the first at-bat as Josh Hampton couldn't come up with a ground ball at third, putting the winning run on base with no outs. The Sharks eventually loaded the bases for Brett Clements. The senior took a 1-2 pitch and sent it over a drawn in outfield for a single, bringing in the game-winning run from third.
Fallers went 2-for-3 with two RBI's and a run scored for the Wildcats while Payne led all Wildcats by going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. The Wildcats scored nine runs on seven hits in the game.
Ray Gambone started the staff day for the Wildcats, throwing a scoreless first inning. Frank Samluk went two innings, giving up two hits while striking one batter out without giving up a run. Rob Gore also tossed a scoreless inning in relief on Wednesday. Nick Marics was saddled with the loss, giving up an unearned run on two hits and a walk.
The Wildcats return to in-region baseball games on Thursday, as they play a pair of games against Saint Rose at the Santaluces Sports Complex in Lantana, Fla. The first pitch of game one is scheduled to be thrown at 2 p.m.