Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University baseball team cranked out 14 singles against No. 9 Wilmington on a windy Wednesday afternoon but ultimately could not overcome an early five-run deficit, dropping a 6-4 decision to the nationally-ranked Wildcats at Fairchild Field.

Shippensburg (23-18) trailed 6-2 entering the bottom of the ninth inning and got the potential winning run to the plate with one out after a two-run single by senior Cody Kulp, but Wilmington (33-12) held on for the victory after closer Nick Marics entered the game and got the final two outs.

The visitors scored five runs (two earned) in the first inning but were otherwise kept off the scoreboard save for a lone run in the eighth inning. The Wildcats sent nine men to the plate in the opening frame, scoring three runs with two outs by virtue of a fielding error and a two-run triple.

After the tough start, freshman Kyle McClintock settled down and scattered three hits over the next four innings. McClintock finished the day allowing two earned runs on seven hits in his five innings of work.

Senior Tom Bush and freshman Marcus Shippey each threw two innings of relief for the Raiders. Bush did not allow a hit, striking out one. Shippey allowed a hard-luck run in the eighth after a couple of jam-shots and hits off the end of the bat fell in. He escaped the eighth inning by inducing a 6-3 double play.

The 1-5 hitters in Shippensburg's lineup each had two hits Wednesday. Junior Michael Douglas led off the bottom of the first with a single and came around to score. He also dropped down a bunt with two outs in the eighth for a RBI-single.

Junior Pat Kregeloh hit a sacrifice fly in the first that scored Douglas and also singled in the third and seventh innings. Senior Tyler Shover and freshman Mike Marcinko each had two singles and a walk while senior Simon Beloff and junior Cal Hogan also had two singles apiece. Sophomore Jimmy Spanos had a hit and a walk.

SU was hindered by 13 runners left on base in the game. The Raiders loaded the bases with no outs in the third inning on three straight singles but could not get a runner across home plate. Runners were also left in scoring position in each of the final three innings.

The teams combined to strikeout just three times in Wednesday's game.

Shippensburg will host Clarion at 1 p.m. Saturday in a doubleheader from Fairchild Field. It will be Senior Day and Alumni Day for the Raiders.