Baseball splits first two games against Talladega, still lead GCAC

TALLADEGA, Ala. - The Wiley University baseball team overcame a two-run deficit to win the series opener 10-7 but could not hold on to the lead in an 8-2 loss in Game 2 against Talladega College on Saturday at Silsby Stadium.

The victory in Game 1 was the Wildcats' third extra-inning victory this season. They lead Talladega by 2.5 games for first in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

GAME 1

Kai Woodard went 3-for-4 with two runs and a grand slam in the eighth inning. Brendan Mendoza went 2-for-4 with a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth. Amir Mason had a base hit and scored three runs. Eddie Garza hit a game-tying single in the seventh.

Jaylen Cream started and went 6 2/3 innings. He only allowed four hits and struck out seven. Nick Rodriguez picked up his third win, after getting the final out in the seventh and pitching the eighth.

Wiley (19-15, 13-1 GCAC) trailed 5-3 entering the seventh inning. With two outs, Abel Rodriguez hit a single down the left field line. Garza hit a single up the middle, bringing home Amir Mason, who reached on a fielder's choice. Rodriguez scored on an error by the centerfielder to tie the game.

Cream got the first two outs with a groundout and his seventh strikeout. The next two batters reached. Nick Rodriguez took over and got a groundball to end the inning.

Ryan Ready led off the eighth by being hit by a pitch. He advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jhan Carlos Javier. After Ivan Del Villar was intentionally walked, Mendoza brought home Smauri Abram, who pinch-ran for Ready. Ajari Camp, who courtesy ran for Mendoza, stole second. This prompted Talladega coach Marcos Dominguez to intentionally walk Mason to load the bases and set up a force at each base. That set up Woodard's fourth home run and first career grand slam.

Nick Rodriguez allowed a leadoff walk but got the next batter to ground into a double play. Talladega got three hits, including a two-run home run. Rodriguez got the last batter to pop out to end the game.

GAME 2

The Wildcats took the lead in the fourth inning. Javier led off by being hit by a pitch. Ivan Del Villar's sacrifice bunt moved Javier to second. Mason scored Javier with a single. With one out in the fifth, Garza singled to first. Ready hit a double to right-center to score Garza. 

Wiley gave up four runs on three hits in the fifth. It allowed four runs on two hits in the sixth. The Wildcats pitchers threw four wild pitches, walked two batters and hit one.

Keyon Guillory started and went five innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. He struck out eight batters. Josiah Jackson pitched to two batters in the sixth. Jalen Porter got the outs in the sixth.

Mason went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Garza went 2-for-4 with a run. Jacob Perez went 2-for-4. 

The series will conclude at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

For more coverage on the Wildcats visit Baseball - Wiley University (wileyathletics.com)

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