MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - - The Wilmington University baseball team pounded out 18 hits but couldn't keep Molloy form coming back for a 9-8 victory in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon at the Polo Grounds at the Ripken Experience.
The Wildcats (1-2) jumped out to a 7-1 lead following the top of the fifth, but the Lions (2-1) fought back and eventually tied the game in the seventh, and once again in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. The Lions then loaded the bases with one out, and hit a two-out single into center for the walk-off victory.
Molloy loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning, but starter Kyle Maxwell only allowed one run, getting a ground out, a pick off, and a strikeout to limit the damage. Then the offense picked up for the Wildcats.
Dan Hyatt started his four-hit day with an RBI single down the right field line to tie the game before Brett Nowell singled into center for the 2-1 lead. Quintin Ivy added on with an RBI single to center to give the Wildcats a 3-1 lead in the second.
The third inning didn't start until there were two outs and no one on, but Brock Nowell was hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive. Dan Hyatt then tripled over the head of the left fielder and freshman Matt Warrington followed suit with a double to left. Brett Nowell then singled through the right side and the Wildcats had a 6-1 lead.
Now leading 7-1 going into the bottom of the fifth, the Lions started to chip away. A one-out three-run homer over the short porch in right brought the Lions to within 7-4, after five. A leadoff walk in the sixth came around to score, and then a two-out, two-run homer over the short porch in left in the seventh tied the game, 7-7.
Quintin Ivy answered with the first home run of the season for the Wildcats, launching a two-out solo shot to left center to regain an 8-7 lead.
Still a one run game in the bottom of the ninth, the Lions hit their own long ball to left center, this time with one out and no one on to tie the game, 8-8, and force extra innings.
Derek Donastorg reached with two outs in the top of the 10th, but Quintin Ivy's attempt to right was caught at the wall, keeping the game knotted at 8-8. Nick Robino recorded the first out of the bottom of the 10th, but then the Lions singled, walked, and singled to load the bases. Robino picked up a strikeout for the second out of the frame, but the Lions' Robert Iadanza roped a pitch into center for the walk-off.
Hyatt batted 4-for-5 with a triple, two RBI, and two runs scored. Ivy finished 3-for-6 with a homer, two RBI and a run scored. Eddie Nevins and Matt Warrington each hit a double and finished with two hits while Brooks Ryan and Brett Nowell also had two hits each.
The Wildcats closed out their opening weekend of play on Sunday, as they will face-off against reigning East Region Champions NYIT at the Ripken Experience on Ebbets Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
