NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball team scored early in each game against Concordia, enabling the team to earn a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader sweep, 12-3 and 2-0, on Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field.
The runs came early and often for the Wildcats (10-8, 4-2 CACC) in the opener, jumping out to a 7-0 lead after the first two innings. It wasn't as easy to score in the nightcap, but the Wildcats backed the arm of Chuck Delagol and scored single runs in the second and third innings to ensure the sweep.
Kendall Small started the scoring in the first game with an RBI groundout to short before Kyle Fries capped the three-run first with a double to right field. Mike Annone and Logan Gilbert came around to score for the 3-0 lead.
The runs continued in the second inning as Julian Kurych reached on a throwing error as Regan Hidalgo scored. A wild pitch brought in another run before Gilbert doubled inside the right field line, chasing Rocky Ferrier and Kurych home for the 7-0 lead.
Frank Nigro collected a two-run double in the fourth before Small hit his first career home run in the fifth. His two-run shot to right extended the Wildcats; lead to 11-1 after five innings. Nigro finished off the Wildcats scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning, knocking in Hidalgo with a one-out single to center.
Starter Sean Deely's only blemish came in the fourth inning, as he allowed an unearned run to cross. Deely improved to 3-0 in tossing seven innings, striking out eight batters while only allowing three hits.
Nigro went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI while Kyle Fries and Hidalgo added two hits each. Fries went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI while Hidalgo went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored.
The Wildcats received strong starting pitching once again in the nightcap as Delagol went six innings of one-hit baseball. He struck out seven batters while not allowing a walk before turning it over to Dan Hyatt for the save. Delagol moved to 3-0 with the win while Hyatt picked up his fourth save.
The only offense Delagol and Hyatt needed came in the second inning. Small led off the frame with a single before Fries moved him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Nick Macey easily chased Small home with a double down the right field line, putting the Wildcats on the board, 1-0.
Delagol came back out and sat the Clippers (1-14, 0-2 CACC) down in order in the top of the third, allowing the offense to come through with an insurance run in the home half. Ferrier started the inning off with a single into left before Kurych moved him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Annone fouled out but Logan Gilbert put the pressure on the defense by putting the ball in play, leading to an error and another run in for the Wildcats.
The Clippers put one runner in scoring position in the nightcap, but Delagol was able to catch the runner off the bag to end the threat and the fourth inning.
The Wildcats get right back into action on Sunday as they head to Caldwell to make up a postponed doubleheader from last weekend. The first pitch of the CACC doubleheader is set for 12:00 p.m.
