AUBURNDALE, Fla. - - A four-run sixth inning allowed the Wilmington University to comeback in game two and earn a split with Sioux Falls, falling 4-0 in game one and taking game two, 6-4, at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex on Wednesday night.
GAME 1:
Kyle Maxwell only allowed single runs in the first, third, and fifth innings, but the Wildcat (4-4) offense couldn't figure out Grayson Skinner who tossed a complete game, two-hit shutout for the Cougars (1-9).
JJ Killen hit a leadoff double in the top of the fourth inning, but the Wildcats were still left scoreless and trailing 2-0 after the fourth. The Wildcats' best chance to score came in the fifth, as Tyler Pirrung was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. But Skinner induced a ground ball to the right side for the final out.
Eddie Parry doubled with one out in the sixth, but he was left stranded at second as Skinner and the Cougars again escaped the frame unscathed.
The Wildcats committed six errors in game one and left seven runners on base.
GAME 2:
After the Cougars scored three runs in the top of the sixth to take a 4-2 lead, the Wildcats answered with a four-run bottom half, regaining the lead, and holding on to snap a three-game losing streak in Florida.
Matt Boyko struck out four and only allowed one run on two hits in five innings. The one run was a solo shot to lead off the top of the second, giving the Cougars a brief 1-0 lead.
Nick Nocella led off the second with a single and then it was first and third after a Cougar error. CJ Deery brought in the Wildcats' first run with an RBI groundout, tying the game, 1-1.
Shawn Haut walked to lead off the third and then worked his way around the bases with a stolen base, a wild pitch, and an error, scoring to give the Wildcats the lead, 2-1. But the Wildcats would leave the bases loaded for the second inning in a row, unable to extend the lead.
Matt Boyko struck out a batter with runners on second and third to end the fourth, and then left a one-out walk on second in the top of the fifth to finish his day with the Wildcats leading, 2-1.
The Cougars led off the sixth with five consecutive singles, scoring three runs to take a 4-2 lead. Dom Grady then settled in and got back-to-back strikeouts and a ground out to leave two runners on, but the Wildcats had some work to do.
With runners on first and third, Tyler Pirrung brought in the first run with an RBI groundout, but it was the second out of the inning. Jack McDonald tied the game with a two-out RBI single, 4-4, and then Shawn Haut was hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive. A passed ball put both runners in scoring position and then Nic Hertzfeld stepped in and hit a go-ahead, two-run single.
Alex Krick came on for the top of the seventh, but two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with two outs. But Krick buckled down and struck out the final batter, earning his first save of the season.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats continue their run in Florida and play Minnesota Crookston on Thursday at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:30 in Auburndale, Florida.