NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball team struggled to come up with the key hit on Saturday, dropping a pair to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division foe Holy Family, 6-3 and 17-2, at Wilson Field.
The Wildcats and Tigers split the season series, with the Wildcats winning twice on the road on Thursday.
GAME 1:
The Wildcats (26-16, 18-8 CACC) left 14 runners on base in the opening game, batting 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position.
The Tigers (16-26, 9-17 CACC) scored in the top of the first but then Nick Classie came up with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the second to tie the game. The Tigers regained the lead with a solo homer to the opposite field in the top of the fourth and then scored three runs in the top of the seventh, getting a two-out, two-run double to take a 5-1 lead.
The Tigers tacked on an insurance run in the top of the eighth before the Wildcats tied to rally in the bottom of the ninth. The Wildcats put the first two on in the ninth, but a ground ball double play slowed the rally. Tristan Schoendienst hit a two-out RBI single and then a walk brought the tying run to the plate. But a fly ball ended the game with the base loaded.
Brandon Grygo went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a walk. Kory Pritchard also hit a double in the game.
Chase Fleming went the first four, allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits while striking gout six. Steve Schenning allowed four runs in 3.1 innings while striking out four before Steven Mann tossed 1.2 scoreless innings.
GAME 2:
After going scoreless during their first two at-bats, the Tigers put 17 runs on the board in the final five innings, starting with a six-run third inning.
Brandon Grygo walked to start the first and took two bags on a sacrifice bunt from Kory Pritchard. Tyler Pirrung then stung one to center but right at the fielder, resulting in a sacrifice fly and a 1-0 lead.
Tristan Schoendienst lined one which looked like it was heading into left center, but the Holy Family shortstop rose and gloved it out of the air and then stepped on second for a double play, turning the tide of the game.
The Tigers then put six on the board in the third, including a three-run homer, to start the scoring. They scored three more in the fourth after loading the bases with one out. A two-run homer in the sixth highlighted a four-run sixth inning for the Tigers while they tacked on three more with two outs in the top of the seventh.
The Wildcats couldn't come up with the key hit again in game two, leaving 10 more men on base and going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position in the nightcap.
Brandon Grygo went 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Mason DeLuca hit an RBI double while CJ Nocella, Kory Pritchard, Chase Fleming, and D'Angelo Ponce all had hits in the game.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats welcome first year program Georgian Court to Wilson field for another CACC doubleheader next week. The first pitch on Wednesday is set for 12:00 p.m.
