Brandon Wikoff
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Junior shortstop Brandon Wikoff ripped a one-out double down the right-field line to drive in a pair of runs and scored on an error as the Blue squad used a three-run final inning to take a 3-2 win over the Orange and even the Orange and Blue World Series at one game apiece. The Blue squad won despite managing just five hits during the five-inning game.
The Orange squad scored first with freshman shortstop Josh Parr led off the game with a triple and scored on senior second baseman Joe Bonadonna’s sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead. The Orange looked to extend its lead in the fourth when senior third baseman Dominic Altobelli and junior catcher Aaron Johnson reached on consecutive errors and freshman center fielder Willie Argo walked to load the bases. But sophomore starter Nick Chmielewski induced back-to-back ground balls that resulted in putouts at the plate and a pop-up to first baseman Mike Giller to escape the threat.
The Orange added a run in the fifth off junior reliever Billy Barrett when Bonadonna knocked a two-out solo home run to right-center for a 2-0 lead. Junior Mike Sterk came in to attempt the save in the bottom of the fifth and got a quick flyout, but junior catcher Chris Montgomery beat out a slow roller to third and freshman third baseman singled up the middle to put runners at the corner. Wikoff then doubled down the right-field line to drive in both runners as the throw from right field was up the third base line a bit. Johnson fired to third, attempting to put out the advancing Wikoff, but his throw sailed wide of the bag into left field, and Wikoff scored the winning run.
For the Blue, Wikoff was 1-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run, and Giller, Mongtomery, Charvat and junior center fielder Craig Lutes accounted for rest of the squad’s hits. Chmielewski allowed one run on three hits while not allowing a walk and striking out one. Barrett got the win after allowing a run on two hits with two strikeouts in his inning of work in the fifth.
On the Orange side, Bonadonna was 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs, and Johnson and Altobelli each reached base twice. Sophomore first baseman Matt Dittman was 1-for-2, as was freshman catcher Thomas Dittman. Freshman pitcher Bryan Roberts tossed four shutout innings, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out four.
The two sides will face off in game three on Wednesday afternoon at a time to be determined. The series will continue on Thursday and wrap up Friday afternoon.
