Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Christian Adorno stealing third base against Post, taken by Frank Stallworth. He had two stolen bases and four hits on Tuesday.
SHIRLEY, N.Y. - - The offense was slowed tamed in the regular season finale for the Wilmington University baseball team, as Dowling won a pair of seven-inning contest, 5-1 and 3-1, on Tuesday afternoon at Golden Lions Field.
The Golden Lions (21-21) were able to use the bottom of the sixth inning to their advantage in each game, scoring a pair of runs to extend the lead in the opener before breaking a 1-1 tie in the nightcap. The Wildcats (17-28) collected seven hits in the opener but left five runners on base while only being able to finish with four hits in the nightcap.
Christian Adorno was a bright spot for the Wildcats in the first game, batting 3-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored. He had two infield singles in his first two at bats, but was erased in the first on an inning ending double play.
RJ Going did all the damage for the Golden Lions, doubling in a run in the bottom of the first before tripling in two runs with two outs in the bottom of the third.
Adorno started the fourth with his second infield hit before standing on second with a stolen base. Kendall Small followed with an RBI single to cut into the deficit, 3-1. The was the last hit before Adorno collected his third hit of the day in the top of the sixth with one out. He was left stranded to end the frame.
Dowling added insurance runs in the sixth, getting a pair of unearned runs to move the lead to 5-1. The Wildcats received singles from Julian Kurych and Regan Hidalgo in the seventh, but the two were left stranded to end the game.
Mike Torres (1-2) was saddled with the loss in tossing the first three innings. Adorno went 3-for-3 while Small collected the team's RBI.
The nightcap was tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the sixth, but a leadoff single set the Golden Lions in motion. Going was at it again for the home team, hitting a one-out triple to center to put the Golden Lions ahead. He later came in on a sacrifice fly for the insurance run.
Rocky Ferrier gave the Wildcats a chance in the top of the seventh, singling to left center with one out. But Dowling induced a game-ending 5-4-3 around the horn double play for the sweep.
The Wildcats tied the game, 1-1, in the top of the fourth as Adorno led off the inning with a double down the left field line. After stealing third, Adorno came home on a Small sacrifice fly.
Four different Wildcats made up the team's four hits in game two. Dan Hyatt took the loss in the nightcap in allowing the two runs in the sixth.
Tuesday wrapped up the regular season for the Wildcats, but now they will prepare for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament starting this weekend. The Wildcats wrapped up the third seed in the regular season and will now host a play-in game at Wilson Field on Saturday. The opponent is yet to be determined, but the game will be played at 2:00 p.m. The winner advances to the double-elimination portion of the CACC Tournament, also hosted at Wilson Field starting May 12.