NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball team stormed out of the gate in its 2012 season opener, putting up nine runs in the first two innings to cruise to its first win of the year, 10-2, over Merrimack College at Wilson Field on Saturday.
The teams had to shuffle the schedule around to out-smart the expected inclement weather, but the skies stayed clear and the sun shined through to make it a beautiful season and home opener for the Wildcats (1-0).
Reigning Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Rookie of the Year Jamie Treml started the game off on the right foot for the Wildcats, getting two strikeouts in the top of the first to get the team off the field and let the offense go to work.
The 'Cats got their first three batters on base all by a different fashion to set the table for the run producers. BJ Janney worked a leadoff walk before Jordan Johnson reached on an error attempting to sacrifice Janney to second. Joe Harbach laid down a perfect bunt for a base hit down the third base line to set up reigning CACC Player of the Year Mike Godwin with the bases loaded.
Godwin didn't get the best wood on it, but got the job done with an infield hit to second, scoring the first run. Jordan Oncay followed with a RBI on a fielder's choice before Jonathan Rodriguez roped one to right center for another RBI single two batters later, putting the home team up 3-0.
After the Warriors (1-4) got the second out of the inning, Adam Soley doubled home two more runs, scoring Rodriguez and Oncay for the final runs of the inning.
That was more than enough for Treml who took care of Merrimack all by himself in the second. The sophomore raced towards the first base foul line to catch a pop-up in foul territory for the first out before getting the final outs via the strikeout to get the offense back to the batters' box.
Warrior starter Joe Mantoni got the first two batters out to start the second, but Johnson reached first on a dropped third strike to kick start the inning. With Johnson on third after a failed pick-off attempt, Harbach singled through the left side to make it 6-0 in favor of the Wildcats.
Godwin singled to short on a hit-and-run play, before Oncay doubled past the right fielder, easily scoring both runners, before advancing to third on a relay error by the second baseman. After a pitching change, designated hitter Bryan Miller hit a fly ball deep enough to center to score Oncay and make it 9-0.
Treml settled into the game from there and controlled the ballgame. His only hiccup came in the fourth inning where a walk and the only hit he allowed led to two runs. In the end, he went six innings, striking out seven Warriors while only allowing that one walk.
Justin DeLong relieved Treml to start the seventh, throwing two innings of scoreless relief. Freshman Tyler Fries took the mound for the ninth and allowed a leadoff single, only the second hit of the game for Merrimack, but did not let the runner past first to close out the contest.
Godwin led the offense by going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored while Harbach and Rodriguez each went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Soley also went 2-for-3 on the afternoon with the two RBI's. Oncay led all hitters with three RBI's on the day.
The three-game set against Merrimack continues on Sunday, with a doubleheader starting at 12 noon at Wilson Field.