(LA PLUME, Pa.) – Wilson defeated Keystone in the rubber match to split a Sunday doubleheader and take the regular season series on Sunday afternoon. The Giants featured a strong defensive effort to take the opener, but the Phoenix were able to bounce back with five runs in the third and fourth innings of Game 2 and held on for the win.
There was a slight delay in the nightcap, but the teams were able to get through eight innings before the umpires decided to call the game because of weather.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 2, Keystone 5
Game 2 – Wilson 7, Keystone 6 (8 Innings)
Venue: Mathewson Field
Records: Wilson 16-9, 10-5 Skye; Keystone 20-10, 10-2
How It Happened (Game 1)
- Scoring started in the third inning when Kade Linton (So., Frederick, Md. / Tuscarawa) left the ballpark on a solo shot over the left field fence. Keystone was able to answer in the bottom of the fourth on three hits and a Phoenix error to take a 3-1 lead.
- Wilson's comeback attempt started quick as Tyler Smith (FY, Crofton, Md. / Archbishop Spalding) went yard to start the top of the fifth. Two batters later Linton received a base on balls, but he was left stranded. The Giants responded once again with a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to set up the final score.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- Both offenses were more potent in the nightcap. Wilson opened the scoring with a run in the first inning as Jordan Daphney (Jr., Countryside, Fla. / Countryside) scored on a single to left center by Smith, but once again the Giants came back with three runs in the next inning.
- The Phoenix were able to go back-and-forth with the Giants this time and scored two in the top of the third to tie the game. Linton opened the third with a walk, moved up on a wild pitch, and stole third to set up Haden Hoff (Sr., Westminster, Md. / Westminster) who drove him in on an infield single. After moving up on another wild pitch, Harry Middlebrooks (FY, Bel Air, Md. / Archbishop Curley) brought him in on a ground out to tie the game.
- A fielder's choice RBI put the hosts back in front shortly after three, but Wilson jumped in front with three in the top of the fourth. Tyler Gibbons (FY, Forrest Hill, Md. / Calvert Hall) opened the scoring with a base hit to right center that brought in Smith to make the score 4-all. Two batters later, Linton grounded out, but it allowed Kodi Deskins (FY, Tampa, Fla. / Clearwater Central Catholic) to score the go-ahead run. Hoff highlighted the inning with a double down the left field line to bring in Gibbons for a 6-4 advantage.
- A solo home run put the Giants within one at 6-5, but Linton was at it again in the sixth as his base hit to right center scored Brady Bakner (Sr., Waynesboro, Pa. / Scotland Campus) all the way from first for a two-run lead once again. After a weather delay, the Giants looked to tie the game and led off the eighth with a triple to right by Justin Mann. He eventually scored on a ground out, but they could get no closer.
Inside The Numbers
- Chase Supensky (So., Baltimore, Md. / Towson) recorded the win in Game 2 after he started the game and went 5.0 innings with three strikeouts. Adrian Lugo (Jr., San Juan, Puerto Rico / Manuel Cruz Maceira) relieved him and picked up the save after he allowed just one run on two hits in 3.0 innings of work.
- Smith had a busy day as he went 3.-for-6 overall with two of Wilson's three hits in the opener. He added an RBI and a run scored in both contests. He now has a five-game hit streak.
- Deskins and Hoff both had multiple-hit games for the Phoenix in Game 2.
Up Next
The Blue and White won't have any time to rest as they will be back on the bus on Monday with a trip to Salisbury, Maryland, to battle the fourth-ranked Sea Gulls. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
