A two-run seventh inning backed an outstanding pitching performance by the Wilmington University baseball team as they defeated No. 23 Southern New Hampshire, 2-1, for its first win of the 2015 season.
The Wildcats (1-2) scored a pair of runs in the seventh inning to overcome a 1-0 deficit while the back end of the bullpen held onto the lead over the final three Penmen (6-5) at-bats for the win.
In a battle of NCBWA East Regionally Ranked teams, the Penmen, also ranked No. 23 in the latest NCBWA National Poll, scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning before riding the arm of starting pitcher Cole Warren for the next six innings.
A pitching dual formed as Wildcat starter Frank Samluk went the first five innings before turning it over to the bullpen. Samluk allowed four hits but also struck out four batters while only giving up the one unearned run.
Warren pitched seven strong innings, giving up four hits while striking out five Wildcat batters. Three of the four hits came in the deciding seventh inning.
Matt Lopes started the inning with an eight-pitch walk before a bunt single by Tyler Hawthorne had runners on first and third with no outs in the inning. Mike Annone grounded one to first base but the Penmen went for the double play as Lopes came home to tie the score, 1-1.
Now with two outs and runners at first and second, Christina Adorno went the other way with a single through the right side and Annone slid around the play at the plate to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.
Mike Torres pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Wildcats before Tyler Fries pitched the final two innings to pick up the save.
Jamie Treml picked up the victory while pitching the sixth inning, striking out a pair of batters and leaving a runner stranded at third base. Warren was saddled with the loss for the Penmen despite his seven strong innings.
Adorno led the Wildcats by going 2-for-4 with an RBI while Josh Swirchak, Lopes, Hawthorne, and Tory Manfre collected on hit each.
The big hits were hard to come by on Thursday afternoon as the Penmen stranded eight batters on base while the Wildcats left nine men on base.
The Wildcats are back in action on Friday as they take on Stonehill at the Santaluces Sports Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
