(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Thirteen was a lucky number for Wilson as it swept Cairn in the Phoenix's United East opener on Saturday afternoon. The Blue and White posted a baker's dozen in both games while blanking the Highlanders in Game 1 and holding them off in Game 2.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 13, Cairn 0
Game 2 – Wilson 13, Cairn 9
Venue: Henninger Field
Records: Wilson 3-7-2, 2-0 UE; Cairn 1-14, 0-4 UE
How It Happened (Game 1)
- While the offense certainly got the job done at the plate in both games, it was starting pitcher Chase Supensky (Sr., Baltimore, Md. / Towson) who was wheeling and dealing as he stifled Cairn's bats. The visitors garnered just three hits and four walks during the seven-inning complete game for the southpaw.
- At the plate, the Phoenix were just as effective and started the offense early with a pair of runs in the first. Derek Chavera (FY, Falfurrias, Texas / Falfurrias) hit in Samuel Martin (Jr., Maugansville, Md. / North Hagerstown / Hagerstown C.C.) and later allowed Garrett Drish (FY, Annapolis, Md. / Broadneck) to score on a double steal attempt. Drish drove in Cody Valentine (Jr., Fairfiled, Pa. / St. Andrews) for a 3-0 lead one inning later.
- Scoring remained stagnant until the fifth when Seth Bivens (Sr., Hancock, Md. / Hancock / Hagerstown C.C.) singled through the left side to bring in Chavera for a 4-0 lead. The flood gates then broke open as Wilson posted nine runs on five hits. Valentine provided the most damage in the frame as he tripled to deep center with the bases juiced to score Jermane Miller (Jr., Wilmington, Del. / Alexis I. DuPont / Albright), Joe Nawrocki (So., Parkton, Md. / Calvert Hall), and Bivens.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- Cairn took an early lead after it scored on a sacrifice fly deep in foul territory in left field, but the Phoenix were quick to respond with four runs in the second. Miller tied the game by driving in Bivens on a base hit and later scored on a Valentine single up the middle. Valentine scored on a Martin triple to center, while Martin made it 4-1 on a Drish base hit up the middle.
- The Highlanders didn't go away quietly and quickly tied the game up with three runs on three hits in the top of the third and threatened more before leaving the bases full. Jordan Stucki (Jr., Costa Mesa, Calif. / Costa Mesa / Greenville) helped give Wilson the momentum back as he hit a deep shot to left field for a two-run homer to make it 6-4.
- Wilson broke the game open with four runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the fourth. Justin Clapp (Jr., Redondo Beach, Calif. / Redondo Beach / Cal State Monterey Bay) scored after an outfield miscue for a 7-4 lead. Miller walked with the bases loaded, Valentine hit a hard liner off the pitcher for a single right after, and Martin walked to make it 10-4. Cairn posted two in the fifth, but the Phoenix got one back with a Bivens sacrifice fly to score Clapp in the bottom half.
- Martin scored on a wild pitch and Drish scored on a Chavera base knock to center to make it 13-6 one inning later. Cairn added two in the seventh and one in the eighth, but left the bases loaded in the final two innings as Wilson was able to work its way out of the jam and preserve the win.
Inside The Numbers
- Supensky went the distance and struck out nine, one shy of his career high. It was also his first career shutout.
- Chavera was on fire at the plate where he went a combined 6-for-7 with four RBIs and three runs.
- Martin went 3-for-6 on the day with three RBIs and five runs scored. He reached base an additional four times with two walks in each game.
- Clapp went 4-for-7 with three RBIs in the opener and three runs scored. He walked twice in Game 2 as well.
- Drish went 5-for-9 with two RBIs and three runs scored. He was speedy on the base paths as well with seven stolen bases in eight attempts.
- Bivens wasn't just strong at the plate. He took to the mound in relief effort to strike out the final batter with the bases loaded to record the save.
Up Next
Wilson heads to York (Pa.) for a single game on Monday. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.
