(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Doc Daniels (So., Deal Island, Md. / Crisfield) blooped a single to center field to score
Gerald Buchanan (So., Snow Hill, Md. / Snow Hill) for the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth as Wilson edged Hood Sunday afternoon. The Phoenix and Blazers were knotted up at 4-all for four innings before taking advantage of an error to go ahead of the Blazers.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 5, Hood 4
Venue: Henninger Field
Records: Wilson 5-2, Hood 5-3
How It Happened
- The Phoenix jumped out of the gates early and posted three runs while batting around the order in the opening frame. Alex Seidleck (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) batted in the first run as he took a walk with the bases loaded bringing in Dean Mercer (Sr., Dunedin, Fla. / Clearwater Central Catholic). Brady Andre (Jr., Brookeville, Md. / Sherwood) followed with a base knock to center to score Michael Marrale (5th, Sykesville, Md. / Old Dominion) and Daniels.
- Both teams got on the board in the third inning. A Wilson error allowed Hood to plate its first run as Andrew Perkins came around to score before the Blazers successfully laid down a squeeze play on a bunt by Ty Schwarzman to score Austin Rhue to make the score 3-2. Wilson was able to get a run back in the bottom half as Seidleck opened up with a base on balls. After a wild pitch, Seidleck advanced to third on a pop fly to right and eventually scored on a sac fly to right by Jordan McKenzie (Jr., White Plains, Md. / Southern Maryland).
- Hood answered in the top of the fourth to tie the game. Jacob Saylor singled in Rich Kershow to make the score 4-3, and three batters later Ciristian Reyna singled him in with a hit to left field. Threating to keep the rally going, Wilson was able to escape further damage as Marrale threw out Reyna attempting to steal second.
- Teams remained scoreless until the eighth. Mercer and Marrale made solid contact with the ball to start the inning, but both resulted in fly-outs to right. Wilson was able to keep the inning alive as an errant throw went out of play to allow Buchanan second base before Daniels' late game heroics brought him in. Jacob Whittington (Gr., Salisbury, Md. / Univ. of the Sciences) then came in to close the game and retired the side with the last out coming on strikes. It was Whittington's first save of the year.
Inside The Numbers
- Seven different batters combined for Wilson's nine hits. Mercer remained hot as he extended his hit streak to eight games dating back to the last game last season. Three of them have been multiple hit games as he was 2-for-4 Sunday with a double, a run scored, and a walk.
- McKenzie ended his incredible week with another multi-hit performance as he was 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI. He now has four multiple-hit games on the season and is 11-for-17 with six RBIs and eight runs scored.
- Emilio Rodriguez (Fy., Baltimore, Md. / Archbishop Curly) recorded the win for his first decision of the season. He pitched a scoreless eighth and got the Blazers to end their at-bat by grounding into a double play.
- Southpaw starter Chris Baumann (So., Snow Hill, Md. / Snow Hill) put in some solid innings as he allowed four runs, two earned, on seven hits and four walks in six innings of work.
Up Next
Wilson will continue its five-game home stand with a twin bill against Rutgers-Camden on Tuesday. First pitch with the Raptors is set for 1 p.m.
