(GRANTHAM, Pa.) – Jordan McKenzie went 5-for-6,
Garrett Griebel scored four runs, and
Emilio Rodriguez shut down Messiah down the stretch as Wilson got back in the win column on Tuesday afternoon. The Phoenix scored in all but three innings and held off a Falcons rally midway through to take the first meeting between the two schools.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 10, Messiah 6
Venue: Starry Field
Records: Wilson 25-7, Messiah 17-18-1
How It Happened
- The Phoenix got on the board early as they plated a couple of runs in the first inning. Jordan McKenzie (Jr., White Plains, Md. / Southern Maryland) led off the game with a base hit to right, worked his way to second on a failed pickoff attempt, and scored on a base hit up the middle by Gerald Buchanan (Gr., Olney, Md. / Montgomery CC). Buchanan scored one batter later as Alex Seidleck (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) singled to right for the 2-0 lead.
- The Falcons answered with a solo home run in the second, but Wilson used precise hitting to score two more in the fourth. Brady Andre (Jr., Brookeville, Md. / Sherwood) and Garrett Griebel (Fy., Kent Island, Md. / Kent Island) led off the frame with a pair of base hits to the outfield. After a sacrifice bunt by Michael McGee (Sr., Frederick, Md. / Thomas Johnson) moved them up, Andre scored on a ground out by McKenzie. Two batters later Michael Marrale (5th Sykesville, Md. / Old Dominion) singled up the middle to bring in Griebel.
- Seidleck sparked the offense with a lead-off double in the top of the fifth inning. Three batters later he was able to score on a single to center by Griebel. Griebel eventually stole second and third which proved pivotal as he was able to score on a base hit up the middle by McKenzie following a lengthy 12-pitch at-bat.
- Marrale and Seidleck helped extend the lead in the top of the sixth. Marrale hit a lead-off single to left and moved up on a wild pitch before Seidleck also hit safely to left to score Marrale. It proved needed as the Falcons put up five runs in the bottom of the frame, but Wilson was still able to hold a 7-6 lead.
- After a lead-off walk by Griebel, McKenzie knocked a base hit to right field which allowed Griebel to score from first. Two batters later Marrale hit McKenzie in on a base hit to center for a 9-6 lead.
- Wilson added one last run in the ninth. Griebel led off with a walk and eventually worked his way to third before McKenzie doubled him home.
Inside The Numbers
- Chase Supensky (Fy., Baltimore, Md. / Towson) started the game and recorded the win to improve to 2-0 for the Blue and White. He struck out four while allowing just one run on three hits and three walks in five innings of work.
- After the Falcons started to rally, Emilio Rodriguez (Fy., Baltimore, Md. / Archbishop Curley) entered the game in relief and picked up his second save of the year. He struck out six of the 14 batters he faced, including three in the ninth, and didn't allow a hit in the 3.2 innings he worked.
- The 10 strikeouts by the duo marks the 13th time the battery has punched out double digits in a game this season.
- McKenzie had one of his best games of the season as he went 5-for-6 from the plate for a new season-high in hits. He fueled the run production as well with four RBI and two runs scored.
- Griebel's on-base percentage climbed as he went a perfect 3-for-3 with two walks with his five plate appearances. He scored four of the 10 runs and hit in another. He has now scored in nine consecutive games.
- Seidleck and Marrale both had three-hit games with each of them batting in two runs while scoring one.
- Wilson outhit the Falcons 17-5 in the game. It's the 24th game this season that the Phoenix have recorded at least 10 hits. It's the 11th game they've allowed five or fewer hits.
Up Next
With predicted weather in the weekend forecast, Saturday's doubleheader against Clarks Summit has been moved up to Thursday. First pitch with the Defenders is set for 12 p.m. at Henninger Field.
