(MORRISTOWN, N.J.) – Wilson set a new program record for most wins in a season as it split a twin bill with St. Elizabeth to end the regular season on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix won the first game of the day to give them 32 wins on the year to pass last year's team that won 31. The Eagles rebounded to win the nightcap and clinched the fourth seed in next week's CSAC Championship as a result.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 4, St. Elizabeth 2
Game 2 – Wilson 1, St. Elizabeth 2
Venue: Naimoli Ballpark at Fairleigh Dickinson Florham
Records: Wilson 32-8, 14-4 CSAC; St. Elizabeth 14-25, 8-10 CSAC
How It Happened (Game 1)
- A pair of base hits helped the Eagles take an early lead by plating a run in the first inning. Wilson didn't get on the board until the fourth inning when a walk and an error put Dean Mercer (Sr., Dunedin, Fla. / Clearwater Central Catholic) and Michael Marrale (5th, Sykesville, Md. / Old Dominion) on the base paths, respectively. After a wild pitch moved them over, Alex Seidleck (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) singled to left field to give the Phoenix the lead.
- The Eagles eventually tied the game in the bottom of the sixth as three hits helped lead to a run, but the Phoenix were able to prevent any further damage. Any momentum SEU built up was short lived as the Phoenix regained control in the seventh. A walk to Brady Andre (Jr., Brookeville, Md. / Sherwood) and a double by Garrett Griebel (Fy., Kent Island, Md. / Kent Island) put them on second and third and allowed them to score on a base hit by Mercer through the left side.
- Saint Elizabeth was able to load the bases in the bottom of the frame, but Emilio Rodriguez (Fy., Baltimore, Md. / Archbishop Curley) was able to strike out a pair and force a ground out to third to secure the win and improve to 3-0 on the year.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- Oddly enough the regular season finale ended up being the lowest scoring game of the season as both teams combined for three runs. St. Elizabeth struck first as a walk, stolen base, a base hit, and a ground out led to a run being scored in the bottom of the third.
- Wilson was able to answer in the next inning as Marrale led off with an infield single. After a ground out moved him to second, a base hit by Doc Daniels (So., Deal Island, Md. / Crisfield) allowed him to score and tie the game.
- The Eagles were able to get the final say as a pair of base hits helped them score the go-ahead run in the fifth. The Phoenix were limited to one hit the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- The Phoenix were limited to five hits in each game. Griebel had the most success at the plate as he went a combined 3-for-5 on the day. Mercer also had a multiple-hit day with a base hit in each game.
- Brayden Stutzman (Fy., Mt. Airy, Md. / South Carroll) had a solid start and struck out seven in 4.0 innings of work. He allowed two runs on four hits and two walks.
Up Next
With the seedings now set, the Phoenix will be the No. 2 seed in next week's CSAC Championship and host third-seeded Cairn for their first game on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
