(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – A two-out, two RBI base hit by
Dean Mercer (Sr., Dunedin, Fla. / Clearwater Central Catholic) helped Wilson come from behind and walk off Game 2 to split a Sunday doubleheader with Cairn. The Phoenix were looking for a series sweep of the Highlanders, but dropped the opening game in extra innings.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 6, Cairn 12 (9 innings)
Game 2 – Wilson 12, Cairn 11
Venue: Henninger Field
Records: Wilson 12-5, 2-1 CSAC; Cairn 5-11, 1-2 CSAC
How It Happened (Game 1)
- Through the first five innings, it looked like the opener would be a pitchers' duel as both teams were deadlocked at 1-1. The Phoenix were the first to score as Jordan McKenzie (Jr., White Plains, Md. / Southern Maryland) hit in Garrett Griebel (Fy., Kent Island, Md. / Kent Island) in the bottom of the third. Cairn squared up as Tyler Warr was hit by a pitch with the bases full.
- Offense for both teams started to pick up from there on out. Wilson appeared to be in good position as Doc Daniels (So., Deal Island, Md. / Crisfield) launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth, but the Highlanders responded with a two-out grand slam to take a 6-4 lead. The Phoenix were able to answer as Jordan Daphney (So., Countryside, Fla. / Brunswick) launched a two run homer to tie the game.
- Unfortunately for Wilson, it was the Highlanders who struck last as they put up a six-spot in the top of the ninth.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- The second game appeared to be more favorable to the Phoenix at the start as they put up eight runs in the second inning to take an 8-1 lead. Highlanders errors helped fuel the momentum as they had four in the inning. The first allowed Gerald Buchanan (Gr., Olney, Md. / Montgomery CC) to score to tie the game. The second provided Wilson with a 3-1 lead after Daniels and Brady Andre (Jr., Brookeville, Md. / Sherwood) scored. Vinny Hall (Fy., Fulton, Md. / St. Johns) and Griebel were the next pair to take advantage of a Cairn miscue to make the score 5-1. Mercer followed with an RBI single to score McKenzie, and Alex Seidleck (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) brought hime and Michael Marrale (5th, Sykesville, Md. / Old Dominion) in with a single to left for the 8-1 lead.
- The momentum high was short lived as Cairn came back and put up even bigger numbers with 10 runs in the third. The score stayed put at 11-8 until the seventh.
- Down to their last three outs, the Phoenix pulled through in the clutch. A Buchanan base hit, a Seidleck walk, and a Daniels single loaded the bases. Two batters later Jack Pachella (Fy., Wayne, Pa. / Radnor) hit a sac fly to center to score Seidleck, but it left the Phoenix with just one out left.
- Griebel kept the inning alive with a single to right to score Seidleck bringing Wilson within one. After Griebel stole second and McKenzie was intentionally walked, that left Mercer up with the bases juiced. He took the first pitch he saw to left field to bring in Daniels first and Griebel hot on his heels for the winning walk-off run.
Inside The Numbers
- Mercer finished the second game going 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored. Griebel also finished with three RBI and scored a pair of runs.
- Between both games Seidleck was 3-for-7 with two RBI and two runs scored.
- Chase Supensky (Fy., Baltimore, Md. / Pikesville) recorded the win in Game 2 after coming in and shutting down the Highlanders lineup. He pitched the final three innings and allowed just one runner on a walk to record his first decision of the season.
- Daniels had a solid day at the plate as he went a combined 4-for-8 from the plate with two hits in each game. He added three RBI and scored a run in the opener before scoring another couple of times in the second.
- Both Daniels' and Daphney's home runs were their first of the season.
- Buchanan went 3-for-4 in Game 2 with a pair of runs scored. As a result, he recorded his 100th career hit.
Up Next
Wilson heads to Penn State-Altoona for a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday. First pitch with the Nittany Lions is set for 1 p.m.
