(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The Wilson seniors went out in style as the Phoenix held off Lancaster Bible in Game 2 to force a split and clinch a spot in the United East Championship tournament on Saturday. The Blue and White nearly got the sweep, but the Chargers were able to edge the Phoenix in extra innings in the opener.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 2, Lancaster Bible 4
Game 2 – Wilson 11, Lancaster Bible 10
Venue: Henninger Field
Records: Wilson 8-25, 6-10 UE; Lancaster Bible 18-20, 8-8 UE
How It Happened (Game 1)
- The Chargers struck first with a lead-off triple that eventually turned into a run in the top of the first. Wilson was able to answer as a Jordan Daphney (Sr., Countryside, Fla. / Countrside) single to right scored Samuel Martin (So., Maugansville, Pa. / North Hagerstown) in the bottom half of the inning. The Chargers threatened again in the second with the bases loaded which paid off with a run on a passed ball, but the Phoenix got out of the jam without further damage. Harry Middlebrooks (So., Bel Air, Md. / Archbishop) then helped the Phoenix pull even in the bottom of the fourth. Seth Bivens (Jr., Hancock, Md. / Hancock / Hagerstown C.C.) provided a spark with a base hit up the middle and tied the game on Middlebrooks' hit to left.
- From there it was a pitchers' duel with both teams going scoreless for the next five innings. That changed in the top of the 10th when the Chargers took the lead after three consecutive singles. A wild pitch allowed them to tack on another for the final score.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- Scoring picked up in the nightcap and neither team wasted any time making the trip around the bases. LBC took the initial lead with an unearned run in the top of the first, but Wilson was quick to tie the game as Tyler Smith (So., Crofton, Md. / Archbishop Spalding) lined one up the middle to score Martin. Ryan Torres (Sr., Baltimore, Md. / Archbishop Curley) hit in Smith on a base hit to left and eventually scored on a double steal. After the Chargers added another in the second, the Phoenix made it a 6-2 game on another Smith base hit that that scored Marin and Brady Bakner (5th , Waynesboro, Pa., Scotland Campus). Daphney added another run on a sacrifice fly to score Middlebrooks.
- LBC rallied to tie the game before Torres drove in Smith for a 7-6 lead in the fifth. The Chargers responded with a double to center to bring in a pair and take the lead. Wilson was able to jump back in front with a Daphney double to right center. Sandro Granados (FY, Hyattsville, Md. / Northwestern) brought him in later on a sacrifice fly for a 10-8 lead.
- Middlebrooks hit a sacrifice fly to score Bakner in the eighth. It proved beneficial and needed as LBC posted a couple in the top of the ninth. The Chargers threatened more with the bases loaded, but Ben Metz (Sr., Denver, Pa. / Garden Spot) ended the threat with a strikeout to win the game.
Inside The Numbers
- Senior Adrian Lugo (Sr., San Juan, Puerto Rico / Manuel Cruz Maciera) was impressive despite taking the loss in the opener as he went the complete game and struck out a career-high 13 batters.
- Smith went 5-for-10 on the day with a 4-for-5 game in Game 2. He scored three and hit in three to help the Phoenix win.
- Middlebrooks remains the epitome of consistent as he recorded hits and RBIs in both contests.
Up Next
The Phoenix will wait to see who they play in the first round game. The tournament field will be determined after Sunday games are played.
