NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The young student-athletes on the Wilmington University baseball team came up with big hits in the 2024 home opener on Tuesday, as the Wildcats defeated Shippensburg, 11-3, at Wilson Field.

In each of the innings that the Wildcats scored, a freshman had a big run-producing hit, helping the Wildcats comeback from an early 3-0 deficit. After allowing three unearned runs in the top of the first, the three Wilmington pitchers didn't allow a run the rest of the game.

Shippensburg came out and peppered the left field line, scoring three runs on four hits in the top of the first. They used a two-run single down the left field line and an RBI single inside the third base bag in the inning.

But the Wildcats answered right back in the bottom half, loading the bases without any outs. D'Angelo Ponce and Matt Warrington started the scoring with walks and then freshman Garrett Quinn hit a two-out, two-run single to make it 4-3. A double steal brought Warrington home and the Wildcats were back on top, 5-3, at the end of the inning.

Steve Schenning settled into his start, only allowing two hits in the rest of his outing, going five innings with five strikeouts to improve to 2-0 on the year.

D'Angelo Ponce added to the lead in the bottom of the first with his first collegiate base hit, shooting a two-out single back up the middle to score Cam Trego.

The Wildcats loaded the bases again in the sixth and then Brandon Grygo launched a two-run double high off the fence in right-center to make it an 8-3 lead. Cam Trego followed with a sacrifice fly in the inning.

Chase Fleming produced a two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning, capping the scoring for the game, 11-3.

Anthony Giordano followed Schenning with three scoreless innings of relief, striking out two while only allowing two hits. Dom Grady came on and allowed a hit and walk, but ended the game without allowing the Raiders to score again.

Cam Trego went 2-for-3 with a double and three runs scored while Garrett Quinn went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Brandon Grygo was the final Wildcat with multiple hits, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI as well.

The Wildcats will wake up and look to do it all again on Wednesday, as they host American International on Wilson Field. The first pitch against the Yellowjackets is set for 3:00 p.m.