Daphney, Marrale Homer As Phoenix Fall To Giants
Story Re-Posted Courtesy of Wilson College Athletics - Original here
(LA PLUME, Pa.) – Jordan Daphney (So., Countryside, Fla. / Brunswick) and
Michael Marrale (5th, Sykesville, Md. / Old Dominion) both homered for No. 2 Wilson, but it wasn't enough to overcome an early deficit built up by top-seeded Keystone on Friday.
As a result the Phoenix will square off against No. 3 Cairn once against in an elimination game on Saturday with the winner advancing to take on the Giants later in the day.
The Basics
Score: No. 2 Wilson 7, No. 1 Keystone 14
Venue: Mathewson Field
Records: No. 2 Wilson 33-9, No. 1 Keystone 29-12
How It Happened
- The homestanding Giants struck first as they plated three runs in the bottom of the first. The Phoenix retired the first two batters of the frame on a fly ball to center and a strikeout, but Keystone was able to rally with three hits and a walk before the last out to score the trio.
- The Phoenix were able to answer in the top of the second. Alex Seidleck (So., Crownsville, Md. / Indian Creek) sparked the offense with a single to right center and Doc Daniels (So., Deal Island, Md. / Crisfield) followed with a base hit through the left side. Two batters later Daphney took the first pitch over the right field fence to tie the game.
- Unfortunately for Wilson, the Giants' bats stayed hot from the previous inning and they were able to score three more runs. After leading off with three consecutive hits to load the bases, a passed ball, a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch helped score the runs. Four hits and three errors plagued as the Giants scored five more runs to take an 11-3 lead.
- Wilson was able to add another in the top of the fifth. Dean Mercer (Sr., Dunedin, Fla. / Clearwater Central Catholic) led off with a double to right center and eventually scored on a fielder's choice by Seidleck. After the Giants added one in the bottom of the sixth, Marrale sailed a pitch over the left field fence to make the score 12-5. Keystone then added two in the bottom half of the inning.
- The Phoenix set up the final score with one last push in the ninth. Garrett Griebel (Fy., Kent Island, Md. / Kent Island) led off with a walk and advanced to third after a double down the left field line by Jordan McKenzie (Jr., White Plains, Md. / Southern Maryland). Mercer followed up with the RBI single through the left side. Two batters later Gerald Buchanan (Gr., Olney, Md. / Montgomery CC) brough in McKenzie on a sac fly.
Inside The Numbers
- Mercer finished the day with a three-hit game going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. It's his 12th multiple hit game of the season. Daniels also had a multiple-hit game and was 2-for-2 with a run scored. It was his 23rd multiple hit game of the year.
- Marrale's home run put him in a tie for the league lead after Cairn's Sam Spadea hit two in the first game of the day. They both have 11 on the season.
- Jack Pachella (Fy., Wayne, Pa. / Radnor) provided a solid relief effort for the Blue and White after entering the game in the third inning. He proceeded to strike out five and allow one run on three hits in 3.1 innings of work.
Up Next
The Phoenix and Highlanders will square off on Saturday with first pitch set for 11 a.m. Wilson will be the home team on the scoreboard. The winner will advance to the championship against Keystone and will have to beat the Giants twice.