NEW CASTLE, Del. – The IUP baseball program jumped out to a big lead and held on in the ninth inning for a series win, part of a dramatic 7-6 victory on Saturday afternoon against Wilmington (Del.).
IUP moves to 6-3 on the year, posting its sixth consecutive win. The Crimson Hawks had another strong starting pitching effort from
Derrick Shields before Wilmington (9-7) worked the score tied in the eighth inning.
Robert Carfagno smacked a single through the left side for the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, scoring
Zach Miller as IUP regained its advantage for good at 7-6.
Dane Samartino closed out the bottom of the ninth with efficiency, getting some strong defensive plays in the last chance for the Wildcats.
IUP went 5-for-9 (.556) in leadoff situations, setting the table throughout the day. The Crimson Hawks drew nine walks in the matchup, while Carfagno launched three hits (one triple).
David Kessler and
Blaise Zeiders scored two runs each, continuing to be catalysts for the IUP offense.
Shields fired six scoreless innings, scattering seven hits with six strikeouts. Samartino came in during the bottom of the eighth, shutting the door from there. IUP racked up a 6-0 lead to accompany a great starting effort from Shields.
The Hawks took a 3-0 lead on a pair of walks and a hit by pitch with the bases loaded.
Ethan Schimony drew a walk for a 1-0 advantage before Zeiders doubled the margin after
Ricardo Aponte was plunked.
Andrew Sicinski drew IUP's third walk of the third inning, providing the Hawks a 3-0 advantage.
IUP doubled its margin to 6-0 in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two-out single to left center. Kessler raced home on the base knock as IUP continued playing with an aggressive but patient approach.
Wilmington racked up five runs in the seventh and one more in the home half of the eighth, tying the score at six. In a role reversal from previous games, IUP found itself squandering a lead instead of chipping away.
A crucial leadoff walk for Schimony opened the ninth inning before Milelr came on to pinch run. Miller swiped second on a strikeout and moved to third on a wild pitch. Just 90 feet rom home, Miller gave IUP the lead for good on a single from Carfagno.
Samartino found himself in a high leverage situation again, cruising through the ninth inning. Zeiders extended over to cut off a slicing single down the right field line for the first out of the inning. With two away, Kessler charged in and made a diving play on a shallow popup that secured the victory.
Up Next
IUP finishes out the three-game series with Wilmington (Del.) on Sunday, March 16. First pitch is set for noon.
The series finale will mark the end of five games in five days for the Hawks.
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