Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Visiting Wilmington (Del.) University scored three runs in the eighth and eight runs in the ninth to defeat host West Chester University, 16-5, in the first round of the Bill Giles Classic at Serpico Stadium Wednesday afternoon.
West Chester (16-10-1) erased a five-run deficit earlier in the game and tied things up at 5-5. However, Wilmington (27-9), ranked 15th in the country in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA) poll, strung together 11 hits in the final two frames to salt away the Wildcats’ 14th straight win.
The Golden Rams used five pitchers in the eighth and ninth innings, but could not find an answer.
After spotting the Wildcats a five-run lead after two innings, West Chester scored four runs in the fourth and one more in the seventh to even things up at five. Justin Lamborn hit a two-run double while Nick Bonadies knocked in a run with a single to right. Tyler Coleman tripled in a run later in the inning as well. Jack Provine hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh that scored Spekhardt.
Eighth different players registered a hit for the Golden Rams. However, seven pitchers surrendered 20 hits and 14 earned runs. Matt McAllister (0-3) was collared with the loss. He allowed three runs on two hits over 3.1 innings.
Tyler Fries (1-0) registered the win for Wilmington. He pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief. He still has not been scored upon in over 23 innings of work this spring. Jordan Johnson went 2-for-5 with three runs scored from his leadoff position to extend his hitting streak to 18 straight games. Jonathan Rodriguez was 4-for-5 with three RBI. Brendan Fallers also picked up four hits.
With the win, Wilmington advances to the Bill Giles Classic championship game for the second straight year. They will play Philadelphia University next Tuesday afternoon at Citizen's Bank Park. The loss for West Chester marks the first time since 2007 that the Golden Rams have not played in the championship game. West Chester had won the Bill Giles Classic in each of the past five seasons.
West Chester travels to East Stroudsburg on Friday for a PSAC Eastern Division doubleheader with the Warriors beginning at 1 p.m.
