(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The CSAC Championship opened up with a bang as No. 2 Wilson defeated No. 3 Cairn in the first game of the double elimination tournament. The Highlanders jumped on top early with a pair of home runs in the first inning, but the Phoenix came back to score runs in all but two innings to take the win.
The Basics
Score: No. 2 Wilson 12, No. 3 Cairn 5
Venue: Henninger Field
Records: No. 2 Wilson 33-8, No. 3 Cairn 21-20
How It Happened
- The two aforementioned home runs gave Cairn an early 4-0 lead. Both of the round trips were of the two-run variety as Jake Meisel and Sam Spadea left the park over the left field fence. The Phoenix were able to get one back in the bottom of the frame as Jordan McKenzie (Jr., White Plains, Md. / Southern Maryland) scored on a double by Gerald Buchanan (Gr., Olney, Md. / Montgomery CC).
- Cairn added to its lead with a solo run in the second and the score stayed there until the Blue and White started to generate some momentum in the bottom of the fourth. Alex Seidleck (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) led off the frame with a double to center and reached third after an error. Doc Daniels (So., Deal Island, Md. / Crisfield) followed with a base hit to right center to bring him in. Three batters later Garrett Griebel (Fy., Kent Island, Md. / Kent Island) singled through the right side to score Daniels.
- The Phoenix scored in every inning thereafter. McKenzie led off the fifth with a double down the left field line and scored on a Buchanan base hit to right. Seidleck followed with a base hit to score Buchanan. He later scored on a single to left by Daniels for the go-ahead run. Wilson proceeded to load the bases in the bottom of the sixth where Griebel took advantage of a wild pitch to score from third.
- Griebel was just getting started and provided more run production in the seventh. After Seidleck and Daniels recorded base hits, Griebel singled to center to bring them both in and make the score 9-5.
- The final score was set up by the long ball in the bottom of the eighth. Buchanan went yard first after he sailed a pitch over the left field fence. After a walk to Seidleck, Daniels did the same.
Inside The Numbers
- Daniels finished the day 4-for-5 with four RBI and three runs. His home run was his fourth of the year. The four RBI also matches a season-high previously set against Clarks Summit.
- Buchanan, Seidleck and McKenzie all had three-hit games to also lead the Phoenix. Buchanan finished with three RBI and two runs scored. Seidleck scored a season-high four times and McKenzie circled the bases twice.
- Chase Supensky (Fy., Baltimore, Md. / Pikesville) recorded the win in relief to improve to 3-0 on the season. He entered the game in the fifth inning and struck out six while allowing just three base runners on one hit and two walks.
- Brayden Stutzman (Fy., Mt. Airy, Md. / South Carroll) also provided a couple of excellent innings in relief effort. He pitched the third and fourth and struck out four while allowing just two walks.
Up Next
Wilson moves on in the winners' bracket and will take on top-seeded Keystone on Friday. First pitch with the Giants is set for 3 p.m. following the elimination game between No. 4 St. Elizabeth and Cairn.
