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NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Big innings allowed the Wilmington University baseball team to defeat Indiana (Pa.), 15-4, on Friday afternoon in the team's 2025 home opener at Wilson Field.
The Wildcats (7-6) scored four runs in the bottom of the first, three in both the fourth and sixth innings, and then capped the contest with a five-run bottom of the eighth.
Xavier Cortez continued his strong start to his sophomore season, throwing seven strong innings with a career best 10 strikeouts. He only allowed four hits and two walks to improve to 3-1 on the year. He struck out the final two batters of the seventh to end his outing.
Chase Fleming started the scoring with an RBI double in the bottom of the first before Tristan Schoendienst knocked in a pair with an RBI single. Fleming scored on a double steal and then Schoendienst scored on another first and third play to make it 4-0.
Cam Trego led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo homer to right. Nick Classie put down a bunt to safely score Kody Clausius from third. Brandon Grygo made it 7-1 with a sacrifice fly to end the scoring in the fourth.
The Crimson Hawks loaded the bases with one out, but Cortez and the Wildcats held the visitors to just two runs, bringing the deficit to 7-3.
The Wildcats answered in the bottom of the sixth with three more runs, all with two outs and the bases empty. Back-to-back walks started the rally while Brandon Grygo knocked int eh first run with an RBI single. An error extended the inning while plating a run and then Josearmando Diaz lined one to left to make it 10-3.
Wilmington put the game away in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs. An error scored the first run and then Josearmando Diaz deposited the first pitch he saw into the trees in right, hitting a grand slam to make it a 15-3 lead.
Dom Marotta left the bases loaded in the eighth and Yoshi Conti gave up an unearned run in the ninth to close out the victory.
Josearmando Diaz batted 2-for-4 with five RBI while Brandon Grygo had two hits and two RBI. Tristan Schoendienst also had two RBI in the run. Kody Clausius and Garrett Quinn also finished with two hits each.
The Wildcats and Crimson Hawks meet again on Saturday in a doubleheader at Wilson Field. The first pitch of the day is slated for 12:00 p.m.