DURHAM, N.C. - - The Wilmington University baseball team split a pair of one-run contests to St. Thomas Aquinas, winning game one, 3-2, before falling in the nightcap, 1-0, on Friday at the Historic Durham Athletic Park.

GAME 1:
Starting pitchers Derek Huff and the Spartan's John Archer were battling back and forth in the first game, each tossing five innings before giving way to the bullpens. Huff struck out seven while allowing two runs on three hits, giving up both runs in the bottom of the second inning. Archer held the Wildcats scoreless until the top of the fourth inning.

With two outs and the bases empty, a walk to Erik Grady started a rally. Jack McDonald and Mason DeLuca eventually walked as well and Tyler Pirrung tied the game with a two-run double to right.

Garrett Quinn held down the Spartans in the sixth and the bats would produce just enough to put the Wildcats ahead in the top of the seventh. Pirrung led off the inning with another double and then was standing on third with one out after a stolen base. Zach Walker gave the Wildcats the lead with an RBI single, 3-2.

Dom Grady had to work around a leadoff walk in the seventh, but eventually picked off the tying run on second to end the game.

Tyler Pirrung went 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBI while Erik Grady went 2-for-2 with a run scored. Garrett Quinn picked up his first collegiate career victory with his scoreless sixth inning.

GAME 2:
The nightcap produced another excellent pitching performance, as neither starter allowed a run in their outing. Anthony Giordano pitched the first four innings for the Wildcats, allowing three hits while striking out three. But he was outdone by the Spartan's Andrew Alameda who went into the seventh inning, striking out nine batters while only allowing one hit.

Giordano worked around a leadoff double and a walk in the second, picking up a double play and a strikeout to escape the jam. He again got out of the fourth unscathed after allowing a leadoff single and a walk.

The Wildcats' lone hit of the game came in the fourth inning, but Brandon Grygo was left at second as the inning ended.

The Spartans scored on a one-out error in the top of fifth, but the Wildcats went down in order in the fifth and left a two-out walk on first in the sixth. Erik Grady led off the seventh with a walk and was moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jack McDonald. But that would be where Grady would finish, as the Wildcats struck out twice to end the game.

Xavier Cortez pitched an inning and third of shutout baseball before Zack Czarnecki pitched a scoreless seventh with three strikeouts.

UP NEXT:

The Wildcats stay in North Carolina continues into Saturday, as they face Pace in a single game at the Durham Athletic Park. First pitch is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.