Press Release Written by Mitchell Coll
KUTZTOWN, Pa. - - The bats were firing on all cylinders for the Wilmington University baseball team hit six home runs in a 15-7 nonconference victory over Kutztown at North Campus Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Wildcats (14-11) stretched its winning streak to six straight games thanks to the long ball, setting a new NCAA program record with six home runs in the game. Six different Wildcats hit homers in the contest, setting a record that was previously five homers in one game four different times, the last coming at Shippensburg in 2009.
The Wildcats scored four runs in the first inning thanks to two home runs. Jack McDonald has now homered in back-to-back games as he hit a solo shot to right field. Next, Nick Nocella and Shawn Edevane got on base, Nocella with a single, and Edevane earned a walk. Then Shawn Haut approached the plate and homered over the left field fence.
Matt Boyko came on to pitch with a four-run cushion as he got the start on the mound and earned the win due to the team taking the lead in a predetermined bullpen game. Boyko had one strike-out while giving up one run.
The Wildcats again scored four runs in the second. Nic Hertzfeld earned an RBI that scored Matt Warrington, and two errors on the play also scored Tristan Schoendienst. Nick Nocella joined the home run party as he homered to left field with Nic Hertzfeld on base.
Bases were loaded in the top of the fourth and Matt Warrington, who was on third base, would score on a wild pitch. Nick Nocella hit the ball far enough into the outfield to score McDonald. Shawn Edevane was caught stealing after earning a walk, but in the process, McDonald was able to score on the first and third play. Mikey Rodriguez stepped up to the plate and singled to center field scoring Shawn Haut.
In the top of the fifth, the Wildcats brought their home run total to five as Matt Warrington and Eddie Parry hit solo shots to left field. Then, in the sixth inning, Tyler Pirrung hit a solo shot to left field, setting the new team record.
Nate McLain, Tyler Brown, and Eddie Parry pitched one full inning and did not allow a run. The Wildcats pitched seven pitchers combined to allow 13 hits and struck out eight.
The Wildcats are back in action tomorrow as they host Bloomfield for a doubleheader at Wilson Field. The games are slated to start at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.