(NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) – Julia Wilkes (FY, Abingdon, Md. / John Carroll) tossed a gem in her first start of her career as Wilson defeated SUNY Delhi in its first game of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic on Saturday. She was rewarded by the offense who broke the game open with five runs in the sixth inning for the only runs of the game.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 5, SUNY Delhi 0
Venue: North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex
Records: Wilson 1-2, SUNY Delhi 4-3
How It Happened
- The makings of a pitchers' duel were in the making from the start as Wilkes was able to retire a pair of Broncos on strikes in the top of the first. Wilson had an opportunity to score in the bottom of the frame, but Katelyn Keller (FY, Orrtanna, Pa. / Gettysburg) was left stranded at third after Delhi's Angelina Dickel made a diving grab to rob Emily Randalls (FY, Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern York) of a base hit and an RBI.
- Wilson kept knocking on the door the rest of the way. The Blue and White were able to get runners aboard in every inning, but it didn't pay off until the sixth. Randalls led off with a liner up the middle and quickly stole second. After Kayla Talbert (So., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) was issued a base on balls, Madison Briggs (Jr., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) opened the flood gates with an RBI single to the outfield to bring in Randalls. Talbert made it 2-0 on a wild pitch before Brigs scored on a Carleigh Magers (FY, Mount Airy, Md. / Urbana) hit through the left side.
- That set off defensive changes for the Broncos, but the results were still the same. Sydney Hartle (FY, Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro) added to the lead with a bases loaded walk to score Magers. Deanna Estes (FY, West Grove, Pa. / Avon Grove) ended the scoring on an RBI ground out that brought in Payton Kendall (Sr., McConnellsburg, Pa. / Forbes Road).
- Looking to answer with similar magic that the Phoenix sparked the inning prior, the Broncos led off with a single to right. However, any momentum was quickly extinguished as Magers snagged a laser hit to her at first base and quickly stepped on the bag for the double play. Fittingly Wilkes was able to solidify the complete game shutout with a reverse K.
Inside The Numbers
- Wilkes went the distance for the complete game four-hit shutout. She struck out nine and allowed just two walks out of the 26 batters she faced.
- Six different Phoenix registered a hit. Briggs, Magers, and Kendall all had multiple hit games.
- Nine different Phoenix reached safely in the game.
- Keller added a pair of stolen bases on the day. Randalls also made a swipe of second in the win.
Up Next
The Phoenix will be up and running early with a pair of morning games starting at 9 with North Carolina Wesleyan. Vermont State Lyndon will square off with the Phoenix following that contest at approximately at 11.
