NEW CASTLE, Del. - - A five-run inning in game one and a pair of home runs in game two pushed Jefferson past the Wilmington University baseball team on Sunday, 10-7 and 4-3, in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division action at Wilson Field.

The Wildcats (9-3, 9-3 CACC) were leading 7-5 after six full innings, but the Rams (13-7, 10-4 CACC) scored five in the top of the seventh to steal momentum and eventually the opener. Richard Joa then hit a pair of two-run homers in the nightcap, and that was all the Rams needed for the sweep.

GAME 1:

The Wildcats scored in each of the first five innings of the opener, going back and forth with the Rams.

Quintin Ivy opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, doubling in Dominic Fiorentino for the quick, 1-0 lead. But the Rams answered with two in the top of the second to take the lead, but the Wildcats retaliated in the home half of the second.

With runners on first and third, Steve Cornog pulled a single through the left side, tying the game, 2-2. Now with the bases loaded and one out, Brock Nowell set a fly ball to left, deep enough to score Nic Hertzfeld from third to take a 3-2 lead. But that's all the Wildcats could get in the inning, as the bases were left loaded.

A two-out, two-run single put the Rams back on top in the top of the third, but the Wildcats had an answer once again.

Nic Hertzfeld pull a ball through the hole in the left side again, scoring JJ Killen to knot the game, 4-4. After start Ryan Sandberg got through the top of the fourth unscathed, Shawn Haut came through with a two-out RBI single to give the home team the lead once more, 5-4.

JJ Killen hit a one-out double in the fifth and Nic Hertzfeld chased him home once again with a single back up the middle. A two-out error allowed another run to come home, giving the Wildcats a 7-4 lead after five innings

The Rams blooped a two-out single into right for an RBI in the top of the sixth, but Sandberg got out of the inning and finished his day with the lead, 7-5.

The bullpen for the Wildcats in the opener, as the first three Rams reached base in the top of the seventh. A single started the scoring while a two-run double gave the Rams the lead, 8-7. Lance Hinton came on and got three outs, but not before the Rams plated five in the inning, leading 10-7.

Hinton pitched the final three innings for the Wildcats, but the offense left one on in the eight and two on in the ninth to fall in the opener, 10-7.

JJ Killen went 3-for-3 with three runs scored while Nic Hertzfeld with 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Brock Nowell and Shaw Haut added two hits each.

GAME 2:

Dan Hyatt pitched well in the nightcap, but would like two pitches back that ultimately decided the outcome.

Alex Gonzalez doubled to lead off the game and two batters later Richard Joa lined a ball out to right center, narrowly cleaning the fence for the early 2-0 lead.

Joa also started on the mound in game two, and the Wildcats couldn't make him pay for early base runners. Joa got out of a bases loaded, one out jam in the second with a double play ball, and left single runners on in the first and third.

Now against the bullpen, the Wildcats had two runners on with one out in the fourth, but couldn't score as a fielder's choice and a fly out ended the threat. Joey Cautillo walked to start the fifth, but he was left at first base.

The Rams had two outs and runner on third in the sixth, and Joe went down to get a curveball, golfing the pitch over the fence in right to make it 4-0.

Down to their last attempt, Jack McDonald started the seventh off with a solo shot to right field, putting the Wildcats on the board. Brock Nowell singled to put runners on first and third with only one out, and Quintin Ivy kept hopes alive with an RBI single back up the middle, 4-2.

JJ Killen walked to load the bases with one out, and Nic Hertzfeld landed a hit into center, but the runners needed to freeze to see if it would be caught, as the centerfielder made the play at second for the second out, 4-3.

Dan Hyatt then hit a soft liner back up the middle that was snared with the bare hand of the pitcher to end the game.

Hyatt went all seven, striking out seven while allowing four runs on five hits.

Brock Nowell and Quintin Ivy each went 2-for-4 in the loss.

UP NEXT:

The Wildcats head to Chestnut Hill for a single game on Tuesday night. The first pitch of the CACC contest is set for 7:00 p.m.