Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

 

LATROBE, Pa. (April 17) – The Waynesburg University baseball team rebounded from a loss in the opener of their doubleheader at Saint Vincent College with a thrilling extra-inning win in game two on Saturday.

 

The home team took the early game by the final score of 11-8, while the visitors got a go-ahead RBI single from senior second baseman Wes White Jr in the top of the ninth inning to pick up a 4-3 win. After the split, the Yellow Jackets are now 10-15 on the season, while the Bearcats are now 14-10.

 

The Jackets got on the board first in game one when shortstop Anthony DeFilippo singled in centerfielder Rob Cool Jr, who doubled in the previous at-bat. After following behind 1-0, Saint Vincent rebounded with four runs in the bottom of the first to build a 4-1 lead. The Bearcats duplicated the feat in the bottom of the second to jump ahead 8-1 after two innings.

 

The Jackets were able to trim the deficit down to 8-2 in the top of the third when Cool slapped a one-out single that plated White. Saint Vincent responded with a run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth that widened their lead to 11-2, but the Jackets weren't ready to give up just yet.

 

Waynesburg sent 11 batters to the plate in the top of the sixth and collected six runs to hack the lead all the way down to just three (11-8). First baseman Bill Hanning singled twice in as many at-bats, one of which plated a pair of runs. Left fielder Kenny Grant also came up with a two-run single, while Cool and third baseman Corey Goeggelman picked up an RBI each. Waynesburg racked up six base hits, including a double by Cool, and drew two walks as they fought back into the game.

 

Unfortunately, the Jackets couldn't carry their hot bats into the seventh inning and were shut down at the plate to seal up the Bearcat win.

 

Cool led the Waynesburg offense by going three-for-four with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. White and Hanning added two hits each. Starting pitcher Zac Rhoades suffered the loss for Waynesburg after giving up eight runs, four of which were earned, over one inning of work. Relief pitcher Tim Knight worked the final five innings of action and gave up three earned runs on seven hits.

 

In game two, Waynesburg was once again able to jump out to a first-inning lead. The Yellow Jackets took advantage of several Saint Vincent mistakes to jump ahead 2-0 on the Bearcats. With one out on the board, Goeggelman reached base on an error and moved to second on a wild pitch. Cool followed with an infield single. During the at-bat of DeFilippo, the ensuing hitter, Cool and Goeggelman pulled off a double steal that put runners at second and third and the Waynesburg third baseman scored on a throwing error during the successful steal attempt. After DeFilippo flew out and Cool moved to third, the Jacket centerfielder scored on a wild pitch during the at-bat of Hanning.

 

After zeroes were put up in the second inning by both teams, the Bearcats got their offense going and posted three runs in the bottom of the third to go up 3-2. The Jackets didn't take long to respond as they tied the game up in the top of the fourth when catcher Noah Pust flew out to center field and drove in Cool.

 

The game remained knotted at 3-3 through final three frames of regulation and the eighth inning, the first extra inning of the day. Waynesburg put up the eventual game-winning run after White singled into right field to score pinch-runner Bill Spina, who was pinch-running for Grant.

 

Sophomore Chris Dittmar, who worked three perfect innings out of the bullpen, coaxed three fly balls out of Saint Vincent to clinch the victory.

 

The Waynesburg offense was led in game two by Cool, who had a team-high two hits in the victory. He also scored twice and stole a base. Dittmar picked up the win after retiring all nine batters he faced. He struck out the side in order in the eighth inning.

 

Dittmar relieved starter Jesse Gonzalez, who allowed three earned runs on eight hits and two walks over six innings of work. He recorded one strikeout on the day.

 

The Yellow Jackets and Bearcats are scheduled face off once again, this time in a nine-inning contest on Sunday, April 18, in Waynesburg. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.