NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Xavier Cortez hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth as the Wilmington University baseball team split with Holy Family, falling in the opener, 10-4, before winning the nightcap, 2-1, on Saturday at Wilson Field.
The walk-off victory gave the Wildcats (14-11, 3-4 CACC) the series win against the Tigers (13-16, 5-5 CACC), winning the single contest on Friday as well.
GAME 1:
The Tigers came from behind with an eight-run seventh inning in the opener, turning a 4-1 deficit into a 9-1 lead late in the game,
A sacrifice fly put the Wildcats on the board in the bottom of the first. A Brandon Grygo triple plated a run in the third before an error brought in another run as the Wildcats led, 3-0, after three.
Holy Family got on the board in the top of the sixth, but the Wildcats answered with a two-out RBI in the home half. Sean Glatts bunted home a run, giving the Wildcats a 4-1 lead after six full innings.
The Tigers loaded the bases with one out in the seventh and then produced three straight singles, a fielder's choice, another single, a dropped fly ball, and a final single in the inning, turning around the game and leading 9-4 after seven innings. They tacked on another run in the top of the ninth as well, settling the score at 10-4.
Derek Huff went the first 6.1 innings for the Wildcats, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five. Brandon Grygo and Garrett Quinn had two hits in the opener, with Grygo hitting a triple.
GAME 2:
Seven innings wasn't enough in the rubber match of the series, as the nightcap went extras at Wilson Field.
The Tigers struck first in game two, getting on the board in the top of the second. A leadoff double came around to score on a sacrifice fly, but other than that hiccup, starter Anthony Giordano pitched well, going five innings with six strikeouts in the no decision.
A two-out triple to right by Erik Grady chased home Chase Fleming in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game, 1-1.
Zack Czarnecki and CJ Deery pitched scored innings of relief as the offense couldn't plate a run in regulation and the game went into extras.
Dom Grady came on and left a runner on third in the top of the eighth and then set the Tigers down in order in the top of the ninth.
Chase Fleming reached on an error in the bottom of the ninth and then pinch runner Shawn Edevane stole second. A sacrifice bunt moved Edevane up to third with one out and the Tigers intentionally loaded the bases with only one out. Xavier Cortez stepped in and took the first pitch her saw to left, dipping under the left fielder's glove along the line for a game-winning single.
Brandon Grygo went 2-for-2 while four other Wildcats had hits. Dom Grady improved to 2-3 on the year with two scoreless innings.
UP NEXT:
Sunday's doubleheader at Bridgeport has been postponed so the next action for the Wildcats is Monday afternoon as they welcome West Chester back to Wilson Field to finish the suspended game in the Bill Giles Invitational First Round. The game is tied, 7-7, going into the ninth inning. The first pitch of the ninth inning is set for 3:00 p.m. on Monday.
