NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball team fought back from a 6-0 deficit, but a ninth inning run gave Indiana (Pa.) the 7-6 victory on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the three-game series at Wilson Field.
The Wildcats (9-7) scored five runs in the seventh inning and one more in the eight to tie the game, 6-6, but the Hawks (6-3) connected with a two-out RBI in the top of the ninth before holding on for the victory.
The Hawks loaded the bases with two outs in the third inning and ended up scoring three runs on two walks and a hit by pitch. They added three more in the top of the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. They scored on a balk, a first and third play, and a two-out single into left center for the big lead.
The Wildcats left two on in the fifth and had two on in the sixth before a double play. They finally struck in the seventh.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with no outs in the inning. Brandon Grygo stayed red hot at the plate with a two-run double down the right field line and then Mason DeLuca followed with a two-run double down the left field line to bring the Wildcats to within 6-4. Two batters later, AJ Tropiano grounded into a double play, but a run came home to being the Wildcats all the back to within 6-5.
Alex Krick left a runner on second in the top of the eighth, allowing the offense to come back to the plate. Kory Pritcahrd started the inning with a single and eventually came around to score on an error to tie the game. But the Wildcats would leave two more on, including the go-ahead run on third.
A leadoff walk came back to haunt Dom Grady in the top of the ninth, as a two-out single plated the go-ahead run. The Wildcats went quietly in the bottom of the ninth as the Hawks won, 7-6.
Brandon Grygo went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI while Jack McDonald went 2-for-5. Mason DeLuca and Chase Fleming had doubles for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats and Hawks play one more contest on Sunday to wrap up the three-game set. The first pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. at Wilson Field.