(GREENSBORO, N.C.) – Wilson fell in the final game of a three-game series with Guilford in a close, high-scoring affair on Sunday afternoon. The Phoenix jumped out to an early lead, but the Quakers slowly chipped away at the deficit and were able to win in walk-off fashion in the ninth.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 13, Guilford 14
Venue: McBane Field
Records: Wilson 2-1, Guilford 1-2
How It Happened
- The Phoenix started the day as they did in both games yesterday with the bats swinging and the runs scoring. Picking up where he left off yesterday, Michael Marrale (5th, Sykesville, Md. / Old Dominion) got the scoring started with a three-run blast to left field that also scored Brandon Cook (Gr., Glen Burnie, Md. / Shepherd) and Haden Hoff (Jr., Westminster, Md. / Fairmont State). Later in the inning Alex Seidleck (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) made it 4-0 with a sacrifice fly that scored Dean Mercer (Sr., Dunedin, Fla. / Clearwater Central Catholic). Doc Daniels added another run when he advanced home as J McKenzie (Jr., White Plains, Md. / Southern Maryland) stole second base. McKenzie scored shortly after on a double to right center from Garrett Griebel (Fy., Kent Island, Md. / Kent Island).
- Wilson built upon its lead with four more runs in the second. Mercer singled up the middle to score Cook and Daniels singled to right one batter later to score Marrale to make the score 8-0. Jordan Daphney (So., Countryside, Fla. / Brunswick) followed up with a pinch-hit double to right center that scored Mercer and Daniels.
- Guilford eventually got on the board with a home run to center to start the bottom of the third. The Quakers added another run later in the frame with a sac fly. Two more runs scored in the next inning on a wild pitch and a double to right. Another sac fly in the fifth made the score 10-5. Two more runs came in the sixth and a bases-loaded walk put the score at 10-8 in the seventh. The Quakers eventually tied the game with another sac fly and an RBI single in the eighth.
- Wilson was able to get the bats going again in the top of the ninth. A bases-loaded walk to Brady Andre (Jr., Brookeville, Md. / Sherwood) then separated the tie by scoring McKenzie. The Phoenix then made the score 13-10 as Griebel scored on a passed ball and a throwing error by the catcher on the same play allowed Marrale to score.
- Guilford was able to answer in the bottom half and started its rally with its first run as a result of a wild pitch. Two batters later the Quakers added another with an RBI single to second base. A bases-loaded single through the left side then scored the final two runs to end the game.
Inside The Numbers
- Marrale, Daniels, and Cook all had incredible games at the plate as each of them went 3-for-4. Marrale added three RBIs, reached an additional two times via walks, and scored three runs.
- Cook, Daniels, Mercer and McKenzie all scored twice, while McKenzie also had a multiple-hit day as he went 2-for-4.
- Jacob Whittington (Gr., Salisbury, Md. / Univ. of the Sciences) took the loss for the Phoenix while Chase Wade recorded the win for the Quakers.
- Through the weekend, both Marrale and Daniels hit .636 after going a 7-for-11. Marrale homered twice and racked up seven RBI while Daniels brought in four runs.
- Griebel was also strong with six RBIs and four runs scored in the series.
- In addition to his batting average, Marrale had a slugging percentage of 1.364 and an on-base percentage of .714.
- The Phoenix were perfect on stolen base attempts this weekend on six attempts. Cook took half of them while Daniels swiped two and McKenzie pilfered one.
Up Next
The Phoenix will be back in action a week from today as they head down I-81 to Staunton, Virginia, to take on Mary Baldwin in a doubleheader. First pitch with the Fighting Squirrels is set for 12 p.m.
