(STAUNTON, Va.) – The Wilson baseball team returned to action with a non-conference doubleheader against Mary Baldwin in the Old Dominion State on Sunday afternoon. The Phoenix and Fighting Squirrels split the twin bill with Wilson getting the upper hand in the opener before coming up just short in the nightcap.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 10, Mary Baldwin 7
Game 2 – Wilson 4, Mary Baldwin 7
Venue: John Moxie Stadium
Records: Wilson 3-2, Mary Baldwin 2-3
How It Happened – Game 1
- As they did in all three games last week, the Phoenix were the first to light up the scoreboard and jumped out to a 5-0 lead after four innings. The first pair of runs came through in the third as Jordan McKenzie (Jr., White Plains, Md. / Southern Maryland) and Alex Seidleck (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) scored after an error by the Squirrels' first baseman.
- Another error helped the Blue and Black make it 3-0 as Doc Daniels (So., Deal Island, Md. / Crisfield) scored on a miscue by MBU's third baseman. Later in the inning, Garrett Griebel (Fy., Kent Island, Md. / Kent Island) hit a sac fly to score Brady Andre (Jr., Brookeville, Md. / Sherwood), and McKenzie scored one batter later on another infield miscue by the Squirrels.
- Mary Baldwin was able to plate a run with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, but the Phoenix got it back in the sixth as McKenzie scored once again on another Squirrels error.
- After the Squirrels again cut the deficit to four in the bottom of the sixth, Wilson put up a four-spot in the seventh to go up 10-2. Andre started the outburst with a sac fly to score G Buchanan (Gr., Olney, Md. / Montgomery CC), Seidleck followed with an RBI single up the middle to score Daniels, Griebel singled to right field to score Seidleck, and Bryan DeCarlo (Jr., Gaithersburg, Md. / Hagerstown CC) closed the scoring with a sac fly to left to score McKenzie.
- The aforementioned runs proved pivotal as the Squirrels' bats mounted a large rally in the bottom of the seventh. A sac fly, a bases-loaded walk, two RBI singles, and ground out to the pitcher all plated runs to make the score 10-7 before Gavin Bigelow (Fy., Parkville, Md. / Parkville) closed it out with a strikeout.
- Chris Baumann (So., Snow Hill, Md. / Snow Hill) recorded the win with a masterful outing as he allowed two runs, one earned, with eight strikeouts and one walk in six innings of work.
How It Happened – Game 2
- Mary Baldwin started the scoring in the bottom of the third with a two-run home run. Buchanan was able to tie the game in the next half inning as he doubled to right to score Michael Marrale (5th, Sykesville, Md. / Old Dominion) and Dean Mercer (Sr., Dunedin, Fla. / Clearwater Catholic Central). Andre later put the Phoenix up 3-2 as he hit Buchanan in two batters later.
- The Squirrels tied the game on a wild pitch in the fourth before regaining the lead in the fifth. A bases-loaded walk put them back in front before a single to left one batter later made the score 5-3. With the bases still full, a fielder's choice to second base scored another pair to make it 7-3.
- Wilson got back on the board in the sixth with a solo home run by Buchanan, his first of the season, but the Phoenix were retired in order the rest of the way.
- Ben Looper (Sr., Columbia, Md. / Oakland Hills) was charged with the loss for his first decision of the season. Brayden Stutzman (Fy., Mt. Airy, Md. / South Carroll) started the game and struck out seven while allowing three runs, two earned, in his three innings on the hill.
Inside The Numbers
- Buchanan had a big day between both games as he combined to go 4-for-6 with three RBI's and three runs scored. All three RBI's came in Game 2 as he went 3-for-3 with two runs scored.
- Seidleck and McKenzie both had multiple hit games in the opener as they went 3-for-4. McKenzie scored four times in the win while Seidleck plated twice.
Up Next
A slight schedule change has occurred and Wilson will play its home opener against Albright this Wednesday instead of Friday. First pitch is still set for 3 p.m.
