MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – A two-run bottom of the ninth gave the hosting Wesleyan University Cardinals a walk-off 6-5 win over Southern Vermont college in non-conference baseball action Wednesday afternoon at Dresser Diamond.
Wesleyan improves to 19-12-1 with the win while the Mountaineers drop to 11-21.
Cardinal sophomore Andrew Yin (Potomac, Md.) had spotted Wesleyan a 2-0 lead in the third inning with a bases-loaded double to right-center field. He had a bunt single in the first inning as he improved his seasonal hitting streak to 26 games. The Mountaineers scored the next four runs to take a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning. An RBI grounder by sophomore Cody LaBadia (Howes Caves, N.Y.) brought home sophomore shortstop Chris Nicastro (Cranford, N.J.), who had doubled, with the first SVC run in the top of the fourth. Three runs in the fifth, the result of a senior Dave Northup (Richmond, R.I.) triple and a Wesleyan wild pitch, combined with RBI singles from freshman second baseman RJ Pingitore (Amsterdam, N.Y.) and LaBadia, gave the Mountaineers a two-run edge.
Single runs by Wesleyan in the sixth and eighth tied the contest with freshman Jordan Farber (Livingston, N.J.) getting both RBIs with a single in the sixth and a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
SVC pulled back into the lead in the top of the ninth as Pingitore hit an infield single with pinch-runner freshman Dan Bergami (Schenectady, N.Y.) at second. Bergami motored all the way home, beating the Cardinal throw to go ahead 5-4.
Yin hit a sacrifice fly to bring in the tying run for Wesleyan in the Cardinals' last stand, his third RBI of the contest, before sophomore Jon Dennett (Great Neck, N.Y.) ended the game with a single to left field, plating senior Chris Bonti (Tampa, Fla.), who had singled earlier in the frame.
Wesleyan freshman reliever Wilson Flower (Stockbridge, Mass.) earns the win from the hill (1-0) after pitching the ninth for the Cardinals while Mountaineer sophomore Owen Chizek (Gloversville, N.Y.) takes the loss (1-2). SVC sophomore starting sophomore right-hander Dustyn Marfyak's (Torrington, Conn.) 8.0 inning no-decision saw him allow the five runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out two.
Nicastro, Pingitore and sophomore Roland Hernandez (Pico Rivera, Calif.) each went 2-4 with Nicastro scoring two runs and Pingitore knocking in two. Senior third baseman Max Ginter (Hamden, Conn.) was 2-3 on the day with a walk.
Bonti and Yin were 2-4 each with Yin recording three RBIs. Farber was 1-3 with two runs batted in and another scored.
The Mountaineers return to New England Collegiate Conference (5-10) action on Saturday with a home doubleheader against Mitchell College; the team's Senior Day ceremony will precede the 12 p.m. first pitch. Wesleyan hosts Amherst College Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. for a New England Small College Athletic Conference West (7-2) contest.