(PHOENIXVILLE, Pa.) – Wilson took down Valley Forge in a doubleheader on the road to increase its win streak to eight games on Thursday afternoon. The Phoenix used their customary offense to win the opener while coming from behind to win the night cap in extra innings.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 9, Valley Forge 3
Game 2 – Wilson 5, Valley Forge 4 (8 innings)
Venue: Phoenixville Area High School
Records: Wilson 19-5, 7-1 CSAC; Valley Forge 10-13, 3-5 CSAC
How It Happened (Game 1)
- Both teams started the game offensively strong with a pair of runs in the first inning. Thankfully the Phoenix were able to keep the bats hot and scored in each of the first five frames while cooling down the Patriots in the middle five innings. Jordan McKenzie (Jr., White Plains, Md. / Southern Maryland) initially lit up the scoreboard as he scored on a ground out after leading off with a base hit to right and advancing to third on a double by Dean Mercer (Sr., Dunedin, Fla. / Clearwater Central Catholic). Mercer scored one batter later on a ground out as well.
- After the Patriots tied it, the Phoenix went up for good with three runs in the second. Jack Pachella (Fy., Wayne, Pa. / Radnor) brought in the go-ahead run on a double through the left side that allowed Doc Daniels (So., Deal Island, Md. / Crisfield) to score. Brady Andre (Jr., Brookeville, Md. / Sherwood) and Pachella then scored on consecutive ground outs for a 5-2 lead.
- Solo runs followed in the third and fourth. An Andre single through the right side brought in Buchanan for a 6-2 lead while Michael Marrale (5th, Sykesville, Md. / Old Dominion) doubled to left to score McKenzie.
- In the fifth, Andre did some more damage on a base hit to right center to bring in Alex Seidleck (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) who led off the frame with a double to left. Two batters later Daniels scored on a ground out to make the score 9-2.
- After a scoreless sixth, Valley Forge added a run with a two-out base hit up the middle, but could only manage one run and left two on base as Jacob Whittington (Gr., Salisbury, Md. /Univ. of the Sciences) fanned the final batter.
Inside The Numbers (Game 1)
- The reigning CSAC Pitcher of the Week Chris Baumann (So., Snow Hill, Md. / Snow Hill) put up impressive numbers once again as he struck out five and allowed just two runs on five hits and a walk in 6.0 innings of work. He improves to 5-0 on the season and the Phoenix remain unbeaten in games in which he appears.
- Andre finished the game a perfect 3-for-3 and drew a walk. He also drove in a pair of runs and scored one himself.
- All nine starters in the batting order recorded a hit.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- No scoring took place until the third inning when McKenzie sailed a pitch over the fence in left center for his seventh home run of the season and a 2-0 lead. The Patriots were quick to respond, however, as they took the lead on two hits and four walks.
- The Phoenix were able to get one back in the top of the fourth. Seidleck led off with a double to left and eventually scored on a pair of pop flies to the outfield with Andre recording the sacrifice RBI.
- With one out in the seventh, Pachella doubled to left field and advanced to third on a wild pitch. It proved pivotal as Marrale flied out to center to allow Pachella to score and tie the game. After Seth Smart (Fy., Seaford, Del. / Woodbridge) fanned two of the three batters in the bottom of the seventh, the Phoenix opened the eighth with a pair of base hits and loaded the bases after an intentional walk was issued to Andre. After a fielder's choice put out the runner heading home, Garrett Griebel (Fy., Kent Island, Md. / Kent Island) hit in the eventual game winner on a sac fly to center to score Daniels. Smart then retired the side with a pair of strikeouts and a pop up to second to end the game.
Inside The Numbers (Game 2)
- Seidleck and Kade Linton (Fy., Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora) both had two hits in the game. McKenzie had two RBI to help the offense along from the plate.
- Smart recorded the win to improve to 3-0 on the season. He was spectacular after coming on in relief and struck out seven while allowing just two base runners on a hit and a walk in 5.0 innings.
Up Next
Wilson and Valley Forge will wrap up their three-game series at Henninger Field on Friday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
