PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - In a battle for first place in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division, Jefferson swept a doubleheader from the Wilmington University baseball team, 16-5 (7) and 3-2, on Saturday on Alumni Field.
The Sweep also gives Jefferson the series victory over the Wildcats, 2-1, as the Wildcats won the opening game on Thursday, 9-1.
GAME 1:
Eight errors hurt the Wildcats (21-16, 10-7 CACC) in the opener, as only two of the 16 Ram runs scored were earned. The Rams (24-12, 12-5 CACC) used a 10-run fourth inning to separate themselves from the Wildcats in the opening.
The Rams scored four runs on the three hits and two errors in the bottom of the first. The Wildcats fought back with two runs in the top of the second, loading the bases with no outs in the inning. Brandon Grygo hit into an RBI fielder's choice and then Erik Grady scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit in half, 4-2.
Justin Hernandez doubled in Chase Fleming with two outs in the top of the third to bring the Wildcats to within 4-3, but two more Wildcat errors and led to an RBI single for the 5-3 lead. The Rams scored 10 runs on six hits and two Wilmington errors in the fourth, capped by a two-run homer to take a 15-3 lead.
AJ Tropiano hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth, but the Rams took the opening game, 16-5.
GAME 2:
Jefferson answered a Wilmington run in the top of the first with a three-spot in the bottom half, scoring all the runs they would need in the nightcap.
Brandon Grygo started the game with a solo homer to right, putting the Wildcats on top. But the Rams answered right back with an RBI single and a two-run homer, jumping on top, 3-1.
Th Wildcats had two runners on with one out in the top of the third but came up empty. Erik Grady and Matt Warrington hit back-to-back singles and then a wild pitch allowed Grady to come home to make it 3-2 in the top of the fourth.
Starter Steve Schenning escaped a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth and then Chase Fleming came on with two scoreless innings of relief, picking up a pair of strikeouts. The Wildcats left two more on in the fifth, but went in order in the sixth and seventh to close out the game.
Matt Warrington finished with two hits while Kory Pritchard had a double.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats look to get back into the win column on Sunday afternoon as they host Caldwell for a cross divisional doubleheader. The first pitch for Senior Day is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Wilson Field.