BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - - Hits and runs came easily for the Wilmington University baseball in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader at Bridgeport, but seven errors in game one hurt the Wildcats in a split on Saturday at Seaside Park.
The Wildcats (10-7, 2-2 CACC) brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning of game one but couldn't complete the comeback in falling 15-11. The Wildcats then scored in every inning of game two, including a seven-run third and six-run sixth in a 23-10 victory for the split.
GAME 1:
Bridgeport (5-6, 1-1 CACC) came out and scored five runs in the bottom of the first and six more in the bottom of the second to take a commanding lead. The Wildcats answered with a seven-run top of the fourth, but the Purple Knights responded with three runs in the bottom half. The Wildcats scored two in the top of the ninth and brought the tying run to the plate but couldn't complete the comeback.
Brandon Grygo started the game with a leadoff homer, but the Purple Knights responded with five unearned runs in the bottom of the first, all with two outs in the inning. There were two hits, two walks, and three errors in the inning.
The Purple Knights used one more error and five hits to score six runs in the bottom of the second, taking an 11-1 lead.
Cam Trego hit a two-run homer to start a seven-run top of the fourth. Ryan Kiendle hit an RBI single, and Stephen Katch had a two-run double. Ben Cordrey added an RBI triple before Zach Rosenzweig finished it with a sacrifice fly to bring the Wildcats to within 11-8.
But Bridgeport used an error in the bottom half to their advantage, going on to score three runs with two outs to regain a 14-8 lead.
Zach Rosenzweig hit a solo shot in the seventh and then hit an RBI single in the ninth. Brian Klumpp added a sacrifice fly in the inning. Zach Frame and Brett Walmsley singled to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate, but the Purple Knights' shortstop made a sliding play in the hole for a fielder's choice to end the game.
Brandon Grygo, Ben Cordrey, Zach Rosenzweig, Zach Frame, and Brett Walmsley all had two hits for the Wildcats.
GAME 2:
The offense continued to roll into the nightcap, scoring runs in every inning, including multiple runs in all but one frame to earn the split.
Chase Fleming hit an RBI double followed by a Brian Klumpp RBI single in the top of the first. Tyler Pirrung hit an RBI triple and scored on a wild pitch in the second, but then the Wildcats opened it up in the top of the third.
D'Angelo Ponce hit an RBI double followed by a two-run single form Brandon Grygo. Chase Fleming hit a two-run single, and Cam Trego capped the scoring with another RBI double, taking an 11-3 lead.
But the Purple Knights didn't go away, scoring six runs on three hits and four walks in the bottom of the third to bring it to 11-9. The Wildcats scored once in the top of the fourth and two more times in the top of the fifth, and then broke it open for good in the top of the sixth. Chase Fleming doubled in a run and then two walks and a Justin Hernandez two-run single all with the bases loaded made it 19-10.
Justin Hernandez added another two-run single in the seventh as the Wildcats capped the scoring with three more runs in the game, 23-10.
Garrett Quinn came on in relief and pitched the final 5.0 innings, earning the win to go to 3-0. He struck out eight while allowing four runs on five hits and four walks.
Tyler Pirrung went 4-for-5 with a double and a triple, scoring four runs. Chase Fleming, Cam Trego, D'Angelo Ponce, and Justin Hernandez all collected three hits in the game. Fleming and Hernandez each had four RBI in the game.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats and Purple Knights complete their three-game CACC series on Sunday with a single game. The Purple Knights come to Wilson Field for a 12:00 p.m. first pitch.