NEW CASTLE, Del. - - One swing of the bat by the offense was more than enough for the pitching staff as the Wilmington University defeated Philadelphia University, 3-0, in the a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference matchup and the first round of the Bill Giles Classic on Thursday afternoon at Wilson Field.
Adam Soley blasted a two-run home run to left in the fourth inning and Mike Godwin, Jamie Treml and Jordan Oncay threw a one-hit shutout to lead the Wildcats (12-7, 3-2 CACC) back to the championship game of the Bill Giles Classic which will be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia later this season.
Godwin pitched the first seven innings, not allowing a base runner until the top of the fourth inning, and threw seven innings with six strikeouts to pick up his first win of the season. He faced two batters over the 21 minimum for seven innings, allowing the lone hit, a walk and a man to reach on an error, but got an inning ending double play in the fourth to hold his batters faced to 23.
Treml came on to start the eighth inning, hitting a batter to put a runner on base but secured two strikeouts to leave the inning never in doubt. Oncay relieved Treml for the top of the ninth and got the Rams to hit into a routine double play to short after the leadoff man reached on another throwing error. Oncay picked up his fifth save of the season after inducing a fly ball to end the game.
The offense was held under check by Philadelphia (5-18, 0-3 CACC) starter Jeffrey Bohus for most of the game, as the Wildcats were unable to get the run scoring hit they were looking for with runners on base.
Jordan Johnson led off the game with a bunt single and Godwin walked to put runners on first and third, but both were left stranded in the first inning.
Johnson again got things started in the third with a one our single, but was left stranded at second once again to head into the fourth inning with the game still scoreless.
Soley took care of the scoring in the fourth, as Godwin started the inning by reaching on a throwing error by the shortstop. Oncay reached on a fielder's choice and moved up to second on a ground out, leaving Soley at the with two outs. The first baseman took a 1-0 pitch and lofted it high into the pine trees beyond the left field fence for his first home run of the season and the 2-0 lead.
Soley was in the middle of things once again in the sixth, as his one out single put runners on first and second with a chance to add to the lead. Now with two outs, Brendan Fallers single over the head of the second baseman and into right-centerfield, scoring Kyle Hitchens from second without a throw.
The three runs were more than enough for the pitching staff, as they shut down the Rams in the final three innings to win the opening round of the Bill Giles Classic.
Johnson led all hitters by going 3-for-4 with a stolen base on the day while Soley finished 2-for-3 with two RBI's and a run scored. Joe Harbach extended his hitting streak to 13 consecutive games with a single in the fifth inning and batted 1-for-4 on the day. Hitchens and Fallers rounded out the hits as the Wildcats picked up eight hits on the afternoon.
Kyle DeGennaro was the lone Ram to bat successfully against Godwin, as Philadelphia struck out eight times during the game. Bohus fell to 0-4 on the season after throwing all eight innings. He struck out two but gave up three runs (one earned) on eight hits.
The Bill Giles Invitational was introduced in 2001 and is a college Division II baseball tournament. Taking part in the tournament are West Chester University, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia University and Wilmington University. The Wildcats will wait to find out who they play at Citizens Bank Park as West Chester and USciences square off in the other opening round on March 28.
Wilmington remains in a conference state of mind this weekend as the Wildcats head to Bloomfield on Saturday for a doubleheader. Bloomfield currently leads the CACC with a 4-0 record. The first game is scheduled to start at 12 p.m.
