MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The American International College Baseball team captured their first victory of the season by defeating Wilmington (Del.) University, 7-4, after dropping a tough 4-2decision to Stonehill College earlier the day in non-conference baseball action this afternoon from Barry University's Feinbloom Field.
Against Wilmington (1-4) the bats stifled early as the Wildcats jumped out to the lead in the opening half inning on a run-producing base-knock by junior Christian Adorno (Millville, N.J.). Adorno then came around to score a second run, this time unearned, in the top of the fourth on an infield single for the 2-0 advantage.
The Jackets (1-4) pulled the game even in the bottom half of the sixth taking advantage of some miscues for two unearned runs as junior K.J. White (Wilbraham, Mass.) knocked in a pair with a single to center for the 2-2 tie.
Senior Tyler Geffert (Hopedale, Mass.) gave AIC the lead in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI triple before junior Chris Starcun (Easthampton, Mass.) knocked him home with a single. Later senior Karl Kapinos (South Hadley, Mass.) stepped to the plate with the bases-loaded and smacked a three-run double to right field for the 7-2 margin.
The Wildcats then loaded the bases with no one out in the top of the ninth and managed to push a pair across on a single and a fielder's choice, but that was as close as they would get as senior Colin Sledzik (Higganum, Conn.) shut the door for the complete game, 7-4, victory.
Sledzik improves to 1-0 on the year after tossing all nine innings surrendering 4 runs (one earned) on 11 hits with three strikeouts while senior Jay Kluka (Chester, Pa.) earns a no decision after hurling the first 5.2 innings giving up two unearned runs on two hits with four strikeouts. Sophomore Zach Rumford (Wilmington, Del.) is handed the loss after 1.2 innings of work allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits.
Wilmington outhit the Jackets 11-7 for the game.
In game one, Stonehill (3-5) got on the board first scoring a pair of unearned runs in the top of the third before AICresponded in the bottom half on a one-out solo-blast off the foul pole in left by Geffert, his second of the year, for the 2-1 score after three complete.
The Skyhawks added to their lead in the top of the fifth scoring an unearned run on a throwing error and then another on an RBI single by senior Brian Campbell (Franklin, Mass.) for the 4-1 margin.
The Jackets wouldn't go away quietly as they loaded the bases with no-outs and without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the ninth. However, Stonehill junior right-hander Aubrey Soloman (Groton, Mass.) induced a double-play and got out of the inning allowing just one unearned run to pick up the save.
Senior Harrison Paige (Springfield, Mass.) was dealt the loss after tossing the first eight innings allowing four runs (two earned) on 7 hits while striking out 5 to fall to 0-2. Skyhawk senior John Hauck (Pittsburgh, Pa.) improved to 2-0 with the victory after going the first six innings allowing just one earned run on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts.
Stonehill held the 7-5 edge in hits while AIC committed four errors to just one for the Hawks.
Geffert finished the day 3-for-7 overall with a homer, two RBI's, and a pair of runs scored to pace the Jacket offense.
AIC and Wilmington will be back at it again tomorrow with a single game at 1:30 p.m.
