(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – A midweek twin bill went well for Wilson as it pounded out a combined 27 hits in a sweep of Penn State-Altoona on Wednesday afternoon. The Phoenix batter was also on display as it tossed a total of 20 strikeouts across 14 innings.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 5, Penn State-Altoona 4
Game 2 – Wilson 12, Penn State-Altoona 4
Venue: Henninger Field
Records: Wilson 14-5, Penn State-Atloona 8-13
How It Happened (Game 1)
- The Phoenix pitching was on display early as Wilson carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Chris Baumann (So., Snow Hill, Md. / Snow Hill) got the start and struck out one in two innings before being relieved by Brayden Stutzman (Fy., Mt. Airy, Md. / South Carroll) who fanned four in another pair.
- On the opposite side, Wilson jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Gerald Buchanan (Gr., Olney, Md. / Montgomery CC) put the home team on the board as he hit his second home run of the season in the bottom of the second. Dean Mercer (Sr., Dunedin, Fla. / Clearwater Central Catholic) followed up in the third with a double and eventually scored after taking advantage on an errant throw on a slow dribbler base hit to second by Michael Marrale (5th, Sykesville, Md. / Old Dominion). Mercer then made it 4-0 with a single to left to score Garrett Griebel (Fy., Kent Island, Md. / Kent Island) and Jordan McKenzie (Jr., White Plains, Md. / Southern Maryland) in the fourth.
- The Lions eventually ended the no-no with two outs in the sixth. They rallied ad the same time and made the score 4-3 on consecutive hits.
- Mercer helped Wilson get one back with a sac fly to right in the bottom of the sixth as Grieble scored. It proved to be needed as Altoona hit a RBI double to get back within one, but Doc Daniels (So., Deal Island, Md. / Crisfield) took to the mound to record his first save of the season. He struck out a pair and forced a pop up to first to get out of a jam as the Lions left the bases loaded.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- The bats were swinging early for both teams in the second game as 11 of the 16 runs were scored in the first three innings. Thankfully most of them belonged to the Phoenix. Alex Seidlick (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) brought in the first two runs as his single up the middle brought in Mercer and Marrale. He eventually scored two batters later as Brady Andre (Jr., Brookeville, Md. / Sherwood) found the gap in left center.
- A bases-loaded double allowed the Lions to tie the game in the top of the next inning, but Wilson regained the lead as a Marrale base hit to right scored Vinny Hall (Fy., Fulton, Md. / St. Johns) in the bottom of the second.
- Altoona tied the game again in the top of the third before Wilson took the lead for good in the bottom of the frame. An infield error allowed Andre to cross the plate before McKenzie singled to right to score Kade Linton (Fy., Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora) to make the score 7-4. Marrale then brought home McKenzie on a double to left.
- After a scoreless fourth, Wilson added four more in the fifth. McKenzie doubled down the left field line to bring in Griebel to start the big inning. After Marrale hit in McKenzie once again, Seidleck single to left to score Hall and an error on the left fielder allowed Buchanan to advance an extra 90 for the 12-4 lead.
Inside The Numbers
- Stutzman obtained his first decision of the season as he won Game 1 after pitching the third and fourth innings with four strikeouts. Shane Bowie (Jr., Frederick, Md. / Thomas Johnson) also improved to 1-0 on the year with his first decision. He struck out three and allowed just two hits in three innings of work.
- Mercer had a big day from the plate as he went a combined 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBIS.
- McKenzie was a combined 5-for-8 with three runs and two RBI. Three of his hits were for extra bases with all of them being doubles.
- Marrale had a three-hit game in the second with three RBI and a run scored. Andre joined him with an RBI and a run.
Up Next
Wilson will return to league play on Friday as they hose Rosemont. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
