LANTANA, Fla. The American International College baseball team dropped their first two games of the 2015 season as they were swept by Wilmington University (Del.), 2-0 and 3-1, in non-conference action from Santa Luces High School in Lantana Florida.
The Jackets (0-2) dropped a pitcher's duel in game-one 2-0 as the Wildcats scored a pair on unearned runs in the fourth inning to earn the decision.
Wilmington (3-3) did their damage after a single started the frame, senior Frank Samluk (Middeltown, Del.) laid down a sacrifice bunt to third-base and with the runner on the move a throwing error allowed senior Jon Castro (Wilmington, Del.) to come all the way around and score the first run.
Then after a strikeout with freshman Tyler Hawthorne (Wilmington, Del.) stealing second, Samluk was able to take home on the throw for the 2-0 score.
Junior Harrison Paige (Springfield, Mass.) was dealt the tough luck loss after going all nine innings allowing two hits with 0 earned runs and only one walk while striking out five.
Senior Jamie Treml (Newark, Del.) improved his record to 2-0 tossing six scoreless innings scattering just two hits with six strikeouts and a trio of free passes. Senior Tyler Fries (Kennett Square, Pa.) earned the save tossing a perfect ninth inning.
AIC outhit Wilmington 3-2 in the first game.
The Wildcats got on the board early in the finale as senior Sean Feeney (Sea Isle City, N.J.) ripped a one-out bases loaded single up the middle to plate one. Then junior Eddie Ritch (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) made a diving play on a soft liner by Hawthorne and double the runner off second base on the ensuing batter to end the threat and minimize the damage.
Things then got crazy in the bottom half of the fourth inning as Wilmington once again loaded the bases and Castro sent a fly ball out toward center field. Senior Dave Clark (W. Springfield, Mass.) appeared to catch the ball and lose control on the transfer then doubled the runner off second to end the inning.
But, the umpires said the ball was dropped and only awarded an out on a force play at third as another runner scampered home and the score was now 2-0 Wildcats on a bizarre play.
AIC got one back in the next half inning as after a throwing error opened the inning, senior Dave Kerlejza (Unionville, Conn.) roped a single down the left field line putting runners at the corners.
Kerlejza then took off for second and pinch-runner C.J. Boykin (Nashua, N.H.) turned his jets toward home and scored on the throw for the 2-1 score.
However, the Wildcats would get an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth and their bullpen would improve to five scoreless innings for the day with Fries earning another save and senior Ray Gambone (Bridgeport, Pa.) picked up the win tossing five innings allowing the one unearned run on one hit with a pair of strikeouts.
Sophomore Brian Karp (Bellmore, N.Y.) absorbed the loss tossing the first four and 1/3 innings allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits with three walks and one punchout.
Wilmington outhit American International 5-1 in the second game.
AIC returns to action tomorrow with a twin-bill against Stonehill at Palm Beach Atlantic with game-one set for high noon.
