FLEMINGTON, N.J. - - Senior Brandon Payne carried the Wildcats in a come from behind game one victory while senior Jordan Johnson's walk-off walk in the 11th inning secured Wilmington University's baseball doubleheader sweep over No. 7 Franklin Pierce, 10-8 and 5-4, on Friday afternoon at Diamond Nation.
A five run eighth inning finished a comeback victory in the first game, with Frank Samluk knocking in the go-ahead run with a single down the right field line and Josh Hampton making it a three run lead with a two run triple. Nick Marics shut the door in the ninth inning, securing the programs first win against a Top 10 team.
The Wildcats (3-2) got on the board against the 2012 NCAA Division II East Region Pitcher of Year Ryan Thompson in the third with five runs, all coming with two outs. With the bases loaded, Jonathan Rodriguez was hit by a pitch to get the scoring started before Joe Marciano singled through the left side to score two more. After the Ravens' Ryan Leach replaced Thompson, Payne singled through the left side as well, scoring one Rodriguez. Catcher Matt Lopes finished off the five run inning with a single into left center, making it 5-0 after three innings.
Franklin Pierce responded right away with a four run top of the fourth, getting back to within one run and then taking the lead with a three run sixth inning.
The score remained the same until the bottom of the eighth inning where Samluk and Hampton gave the Wildcats the lead once again and a chance for the win over the top ranked team in the lasted NCBWA East Region Poll.
In game two, Wilmington led for the entire contest, coming out of the gates and scoring 4 runs in the first three innings and carrying a 4-2 lead into the top of the ninth. Nick Marics came on in the ninth and quickly got two outs with a runner on second base. Pinch hitter Brendan Mannion fought off a 1-2 count and eventually walked, leading to a Nick LaCroix double just inside the line in right, scoring both runners and tying the game.
Freshman Peter Monahan came on in the 10th and overpowered the Ravens for two innings, striking out the first five batters he faced and throwing two scoreless innings in allowing the offense to turn it on once again.
The Wildcats loaded the bases without recording an out in the 11th before Johnson walked on a full count with the bases loaded for the doubleheader sweep. Monahan earned his first collegiate win with the extra-inning work in game two.
Payne went 5-for-7 in the doubleheader, while Hampton totaled two triples and a double for the day. Joe Marciano knocked in two runs in game one, going 2-for-3 and adding two runs scored.
The Wildcats continue a four game set against Franklin Pierce on Saturday, playing a pair of seven-inning games at Baseball Heaven in Yaphank, N.Y., starting at 1:30 p.m.
