NEW CASTLE, Del. - - A seven-run bottom of the fifth turned the game around for the Wilmington University baseball team in the opening round of the NCAA Division II East Region 2 Tournament on Saturday, coming back to defeat Molloy, 14-5, at Wilson Field.
After Molloy scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead, the Wildcats (37-20) responded with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth, reclaiming command of the opening game of the NCAA Regional.
With the win, the Wildcats move on to face Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference foe Felician in the winner's bracket game on Sunday at Wilson Field. Felician defeated Pace, 9-8, in the other opening game on Saturday. Sunday's winner's bracket game is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Wilson Field.
After the Wildcats opened the scoring with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth, the Lions answered right back with a five-run top of the fifth inning.
But the Wildcats had a response as well, starting the bottom of the fifth with three straight bunt singles to load the bases. Now with one out, Nick Classie hit into an RBI ground out to make it 5-4. A walk to Garrett Quin forced in a run and then two Molloy errors accounted for the next four runs. Brandon Grygo reached on an error and then Tyler Pirrung reached on an error and three runs scored due to a second error in the outfield for the 9-5 lead. Chase Fleming finished off the inning with an RBI double inside the first base bag to make it 10-5.
Cam Trego launched a two-run homer in the sixth and then Josearmando Diaz hit a solo shot in the seventh and the Wildcats were leading 13-5. Brandon Grygo added an RBI triple in the eighth to settle the score at 14-5.
Scott Borgmann worked the final 4.2 innings in relief to earn the win, not allowing a run on three hits and four walks. He left the bases loaded in the seventh and two more on base in the eighth to keep the Wildcats in the lead. He is now 8-2 on the year.
Brandon Grygo went 3-for-5 with a double and a triple, adding two RBI. His first hit of the game was his 81st of the season, setting a new Wilmington single season program record.
Chase Fleming and Josearmando Diaz each had two hits while Nick Classie, Cam Trego, and Garrett Quinn all had two RBI in the game.
Sunday's winner's bracket game is scheduled to be the second game of the day at Wilson Field, starting at approximately 12:00 p.m.
