NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University baseball team scored at least one run in each of the last four innings, putting continuous pressure on the University of Delaware to pull away for a 9-3 victory over its in-state foe on Monday afternoon at the newly renovated Bob Hannah Stadium.
The win was the fourth in the last six attempts for the Wildcats (32-7-1 overall) against their in-state NCAA Division I rivals, but first since the 2011 season. Delaware (20-21 overall) came into the game taking two of three from UNCW over the weekend and winners of five of its last six games.
The Wildcats produced 14 hits in the game, taking the lead for good with a two-run sixth after the Blue Hens tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth.
Off and running on the pitch, Matt Lopes scored all the way from first on a double by Sam Goines inside the third base bag to give the visitors the lead for good. Joe Marciano followed with a double inside the first base bag, past a drawn in first baseman to score Goines for the 5-3 lead.
From there, the Wildcats scored runs in every inning to continue to extend the lead.
Josh Swirchak hit a one-out double down the right field line to start a seventh inning rally, coming home to score on an RBI fielder's choice by Frank Samluk.
With runners on first and third, Brody Tennant took off for second, drawing a throw from the Blue Hen catcher which allowed Goines to trot home from third for a run in the top of the eighth inning.
Reliever Jay Kluka shut down the Blue Hens in two innings of work, facing the minimum over two innings to keep the Wildcats in front down the stretch.
With two outs in the ninth inning, Samluk started a rally by working a walk and stealing second base. Josh Hampton singled into right field and Samluk came around to score as the throw from right field got past the catcher at the plate. Lopes finished off the scoring for the Wildcats with a two-out single, putting the Wildcats cushion at 9-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Tyler Fries came on to close the door in the ninth, tossing a perfect inning to secure the victory.
Jake Wersinger went the first 4.1 innings for the Wildcats, striking out three batters while allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits in the no decision. Chris Lopez came on for the next 1.2 innings, giving up one hit and two walks but no runs to earn the win.
Hampton and Goines led the offense with three hits each in the game while Swirchak, and Tennant collected two hits each in the win. Samluk and Hampton led the way with two RBI each.
The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday when they host Queens in their second to last game of the 2014 regular season. The first pitch of Wednesday's game is set for 3 p.m. at Wilson Field.
