NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball team evened the season series with Goldey-Beacom on Sunday, sweeping the Lightning in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader, 7-2 and 11-9, on Sunday afternoon at Wilson Field.
Dan Hyatt dominated the mound in game one while Luke Johnson came off the bench and launched a game-tying three-run home run as the Wildcats (21-13, 10-8 CACC) came from behind with a five-run sixth inning in the nightcap.
Senior Kendall Small became the first Wildcat in program history to record 200 hits in a career, doing so with a two-out double in the eighth in game one.
Game One:
Wilmington starter Dan Hyatt went eight innings and struck out seven while the bats scored in five of their eight at bats in the 7-2 win.
The Wildcats' first four runs came off two-out hits, the first coming in the bottom of the second off the bat of Matt Stepnoski. He singled into right field to score Eddie Nevins for the game's first run.
Eddie Nevins was then on the other end of a two-out hit in the third, singling through the left side with runners on first and second. Dakota Graham came home to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.
Now in the fifth, back-to-back doubles with two outs and the bases empty scored another run for the Wildcats. Kendall Small started the two-out rally with a double to left center and Eddie Nevins followed with a double over the third baseman and into the left field corner. Nevins then came home on a double steal with runner son first and third for the 4-1 lead.
Frank Nigro hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and the Wildcats tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth to secure the game one victory. Dakota Graham pulled one through the left side with Nigro on third and two batters later Kendal Small hit his 200th base knock of his career, a double to left center for another RBI and a 7-2 lead.
Rich Albrecht relieved Hyatt and got the first two batters out in the top of the ninth. But the Lightning did go away easily, as three straight singles loaded the bases. But Albrecht buckled down and struck the next batter to seal the victory.
Kendall Small went 3-for-4 with two doubles while Eddie Nevins batted 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Matt Stepnoski batted 2-for-4 as well for the Wildcats.
Hyatt improved to 6-1 on the year with the win.
Game Two:
The Wildcats got off to a hot start in the nightcap, jumping out to a 5-0 lead after three full innings. But the Lightning bounced back with a run in the fourth and a seven-run fifth inning to take an 8-5 lead.
Trailing 9-6 in the bottom of the sixth, the Wildcats regained the lead with a five-run frame in exciting fashion.
Frank Nigro started the rally with a one-out double before Dakota Graham walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Luke Johnson came in to pinch-hit and the move paid off as he took a pitch deep to center for a three-run homer to tie the game, 9-9.
Kendall Small was hit by a pitch and stole second to restart the rally before an error and a walk loaded the bases with only one outs. Max Carney stepped in and sent a ball to deep right, one-hopping over the fence for a ground-rule double and an 11-9 lead.
Zach Frederick closed out the victory while leaving two runners on base in the seventh, securing a comebacker to the mound for the final out of the game.
Max Carney went 4-for-4 with two RBI to lead the Wildcats while Dakota Graham scored three runs while batting 1-for-2. Quintin Ivy hit a solo shot in the third inning, going 1-for-3 in the game.
Zach Frederick pitched out of the sixth and went 1.2 innings to improve to 2-2 on the year. Danny Sullivan started the game and went 4.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits while striking out two.
Up Next:
The Wildcats will take on Felician in their next four games, heading to their CACC South Division counterpart on Tuesday before welcoming them to Wilson Field on Friday.