NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Eleven unanswered runs helped the Wilmington University baseball team take down nationally ranked No. 2 Millersville, 14-4, on Wednesday afternoon at Wilson Field, wrapping up a seven-game home stand.
After Millersville (18-4) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third, the Wildcats (11-7) answered with 11 straight runs over the next three innings, starting with a four-run third inning. They also scored two in the fourth and five more in the fifth to take an 11-2 lead before Millersville got on the board again.
It is believed to be the highest ranked team the Wildcats have defeated in the program's NCAA era.
The Marauders got on the board first with two unearned runs in the top of the third off starter Chase Fleming, but the Wildcats answered right back in the home half.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with one out and got on the board with a sacrifice fly from Kory Pritchard. Now with two outs, Jack McDonald tied the game with an RBI single and then Mason DeLuca hit an RBI double to left center for the 3-2 lead. Cam Trego stepped in and delivered a single through the right side scoring another run, but DeLuca was gunned down at the plate, ending the inning with the Wildcats on top, 4-2.
Xavier Cortez pitched a scoreless top of the fourth, thanks to Nick Classie throwing out a runner trying to steal second base to end the inning. Classie then stepped up to the plate with one out and launched his first homer of the season deep to right field, giving the Wildcats a 6-2 lead.
Derek Huff worked around a one-out walk to leave a runner on second base in the top of the fifth, bringing the offense back to the plate. The Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs without recording a hit. DeLuca stole home as the Marauders tried a pick off at second base and Cam Trego scored on a wild pitch. Now with the bases loaded again, Erik Grady put a ball into the right field corner, chasing all three runners home before being thrown out at third, but not before giving the Wildcats the 11-2 lead.
Millersville sparked a two-out rally with three straight singles, scoring on the third hit. But Scott Borgmann got the final out of the inning, cutting Millersville rally short. The Wildcats then answered right back, keeping momentum on the home side. Kory Pritchard started the inning and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Tyler Pirrung walked in a run and then Nick Classie hit a grounder to short to plate another run for the 14-4 lead.
Millersville scored another two-out run in the seventh, but then Garrett Quinn and Dom Grady tossed scoreless frames to finish off the victory.
Nick Classie and Erik Grady had three RBI each while Kory Pritchard is the only Wildcat with two hits. Every starter for the Wildcats had a hit in the win.
The Wildcats are off until Sunday when they begin Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play at Felician. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 12:00 p.m.