NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The red hot Wilmington University baseball team extended its winning streak to 10 straight games, collecting 17 hits in defeating the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 14-4, in a nonconference, cross divisional contest at Jim Sherman Sr. Stadium at Wilson Field on Thursday afternoon.
Twelve different Wildcats (23-9 overall) registered a hit on Thursday, with seven on the 17 hits going for extra base hits in the first meeting between the two programs since 1994 when Wilmington was a part of the NAIA. UMES (5-26) took an early 1-0 lead and another 3-2 lead after its first two at-bats, but the Wildcat offense put runs on the board in six of their eight at-bats.
Sophomore Jon Castro gave the offense several sparks on the base paths Thursday, going 2-for-2 with a double and a triple, an RBI and three runs scored. He showed off his speed by legging out a double on a ball just to the left of the center fielder, and then scurried home after tagging up to third on a deep fly ball to left and scoring on a miscue in the infield.
Junior Josh Hampton put a charge into one for his only hit of the afternoon, launching a three run shot into the trees in left field, finishing 1-for-4 with four RBI's and a run scored. It was his second home run of the season while he also gave the Wildcats its first lead of the game with a sacrifice fly to right in the first.
Senior Jonathan Rodriguez, junior Joe Marciano, and freshman Ryan Richards also collected two hits apiece for the Wildcats with one of Marciano's being a double. Senior Brandon Payne hit the third and final double for the home team while sophomore Sam Goines and senior Joe El-Bisi each hit a two-run triple in the game.
Wilmington found itself down 1-0 after the top of the first but quickly put a two spot on the board to take its first lead of the game. UMES responded with two more runs in the top of the second in what looked like was going to be shootout from start to finish. But the Wildcat pitchers settled down while the bats picked up, tying the game in the bottom of the second before taking the lead for good with a three run third inning.
The Wildcats tacked on two more in the fourth, highlighted by Goines' triple over the head of the centerfielder before scoring four more in the fifth, aided by Hampton's three run shot. After not scoring in either the sixth or seventh innings, Wilmington capped the scoring with two final runs in the bottom of the eight, with both runs coming home on the El-Bisi triple to right center.
Senior Justin Risko was the second pitcher to get a look at the Hawks on Thursday, throwing 1.2 innings while giving up one hit and striking out two. In the predetermined bullpen day, Risko became the pitcher of record as the Wildcats took their final lead in the third inning, earning his first win of the season.
Sophomore James Fallers pitched two scoreless innings late in the game before handing the ball over to Kyle Lindstrom who finished off the final 1.1 innings in the victory.
Thursday was the first of four straight home games for the Wildcats as they return to Wilson Field on Saturday for another home contest. Wilmington returns to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action on Saturday when it faces Felician for a doubleheader starting at 12:00 p.m.
