(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Ben Tunnell (Gr., St. Petersburg, Fla. / Lakewood) struck out eight while going the distance and received an abundance of help by the offense to help Wilson split twin bill with Penn State Altoona on Friday. The Phoenix nearly pulled off an incredible comeback in Game 2, but the Nittany Lions were able to pull away to preserve the split.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 11, Penn State Altoona 2
Game 2 – Wilson 9, Penn State Altoona 15
Venue: Henninger Field
Records: Wilson 4-13, Penn State Altoona 8-12
How It Happened (Game 1)
- The Phoenix didn't waste any time getting the scoreboard working as they put up a four-spot in the bottom of the first. Samuel Martin (So., Maugansville, Md. / North Hagerstown), Seth Bivens (Jr., Hancock, Md. / Hancock / Hagerstown C.C.), and Tyler Smith (So., Crofton, Md. / Archbishop Spalding) loaded the bases to lead off the frame and Harry Middlebrooks (So., Bel Air, Md. / Archbishop Curley) took one for team by getting hit by a pitch for the first run. Ryan Torres (Sr., Baltimore, Md. / Archbishop Curley) followed by finding the gap in left center to score Bivens and Smith before Middlebrooks scored on an infield error on the next play.
- A bases-loaded double plated a pair for Altoona in the top of the third, but the Phoenix were able to avoid further damage by hitting the relay to get an out at home to prevent another run. Tony Scott (FY, Baltimore, Md. / Archbishop Curley) helped get one of the runs back in the bottom half with a sharp single down the first base line to score Middlebrooks.
- Smith kept the bats hot as he left the ball park with a deep shot to left field that also scored Bivens for a 7-2 lead. Tyler O'Brien (Frederick, Md. / Tuscarora) got in the mix one inning later with a two-RBI base hit and later scored on a Middlebrooks base hit through the left side the also scored Smith to set the final score.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- The script was flipped for Game 2 as Altoona jumped out to an early lead with five runs in the first and added to it with five more across the next two innings. The Phoenix eventually got the bats going in the bottom of the third when Brady Bakner (5th, Waynesboro, Pa. / Scotland Campus) led off with a double and scored on a base hit up the middle by Martin. Martin later scored on a base hit by Middlebrooks through the left side. Smith made it 10-3 on the next play after an infield error by the visitors.
- After Altoona scored one in the fifth, Wilson made its comeback attempt with a six-run answer in the bottom half. Joe Nawrocki (FY, Parkton, Md. / Calvert Hall) brought in the first of those with a base hit up the middle to score Payton Bennett (So., Buckhannon, W.Va. / Buckhannon-Upshur / Davis & Elkins). He later scored on a bases-loaded walk to Martin. Torres cleared the bases one batter later with a base hit through the right side and scored himself on a double up the middle by Smith to make it 11-9.
- That was as close as Wilson would get. The Phoenix put runners on in both the sixth and seventh but were unable to get in scoring position. In the meantime Altoona added four insurance runs in the seventh to set the final score.
Inside The Numbers
- Tunnell had the best outing of his career as he fanned eight of the 29 batters he faced in the complete game win. The number of K's and 7.0 innings pitched are both career highs.
- Middlebrooks went a combined 3-for-6 on the day with four RBIs and two runs scored. Three RBIs and both runs came in the first game and gave him his fourth three-RBI game in five outings. He now has recorded an RBI in six consecutive games with 14 over that stretch.
- Smith was heavy on the run production as well on Friday. He went a combined 3-for-7 with three RBIs and four runs scored. His home run was his fifth of the season.
- Jodan Daphney (Sr., Countryside, Fla. / Countryside) had his team-best ninth multiple-hit game of the season in the opener.
- Scott's reached-base streak has now reached double-digits and is the longest by anyone on the team this season.
Up Next
United East action resumes as the Phoenix head to Langhorne to take on Rosemont on Saturday. First pitch of Game 1 is set for noon.
