Phoenix and Giants Force Game Three

LA PLUME, Pa.- The Wilson College baseball team traveled to the number one seeded Keystone College for the opening games of the Colonial States Athletic Conference Championship. The second-seeded Phoenix (31-10, 10-2 CSAC) took game one over the Giants (23-18, 10-2 CSAC) with a final score of 11-2. The Giants took game two with a final score of 6-3.
 
Game One: Senior Brandon Cook (Glen Burnie, MD., Shepherd University) started the scoring for the Phoenix after being hit home off a double from senior Michael Marrale (Sykesville, MD, Old Dominion Univ.).  Later senior Gerald Buchanan (Olney, MD, Montgomery CC (MD)) hit a home run to left field bringing home Marrale and giving Wilson an early 3-0 lead over Keystone moving into the bottom of the first inning. The Phoenix found their fourth run of the game in the top of the second inning with freshman Alex Seidleck (Crownsville, MD, Indian Creek HS) bringing home sophomore Brady Andre (Brookeville, MD, Sherwood HS). The Giants scored the next two runs over the next two innings cutting the Wilson lead in half to 4-2 moving into the top of the fourth.  From this moment on the Phoenix defense held strong not allowing any more runs for the remainder of the game. The Wilson offense continued to be productive in the top of the sixth inning as junior Dean Mercer (Dunedin, FL., Clearwater Central Catholic) hit a three-run home run down the left-field line, bringing home Buchanan and Marrale to bring the score to 10-2. In the top of the seventh inning, the Phoenix scored their final run with Seidleck crossing home plate to bring the score to 11-2.
 
Inside the Box Score: Both Marrale and Seidleck finished the day with two runs, two hits, and one RBI on five at-bats. Marrale, Seidleck, and Buchanan each scored two runs apiece for the Phoenix. Sophomore Haden Hoff (Westminster, MD, Fairmont State Univ.) and freshman Doc Daniels (Deal Island, MD, Crisfield HS) led the team in hits each securing three hits for Wilson. Mercer led the way with RBIs with three RBIs. Wilson finished game one with 11 runs, 16 hits, and two errors while Keystone ended game one with two runs, four hits, and three errors.
 
Game Two: In game two, Keystone took the early lead over Wilson in the bottom of the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. The Phoenix responded to tie the game at 1 apiece after Andre hit a sacrifice fly to allow Buchanan to score. In the bottom of the second inning, the Giants retook a one-run lead over the Phoenix. Wilson again tied the game after Cook stole second and reached home plate on throwing errors by Keystone to tie the game at 2-2.  In the bottom of the third inning, the Giants extended their lead by three runs. Seidleck would respond in the top of the fourth inning with a home run to left field to bring the score to 5-3. Keystone responded with a home run of their own to bring the score to its final of 6-3.
 
Inside the Box Score: Cook, Buchanan, and Seidleck were the run-scorers for the Phoenix in game two.  Buchanan led the team in hits with three hits on four at-bats. Seidleck and Andre each had one RBI on the night. The Phoenix ended game two with three runs, eight hits, and one error while the Giants finished with six runs, ten hits, and two errors.
 
Up next: The Phoenix will play the Giants in a winner takes all, tomorrow afternoon at 12:00 p.m. for a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.
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