Baseball dominates Philander Smith, clinches share of GCAC Title
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. - The Wiley University baseball team made history in their final regular season series against Philander Smith University on Saturday and Sunday at Lamar Porter Stadium. With dominating victories in the first (18-5) and third (14-3) games and coming out on top in a pitchers' duel in Game 2 (1-0), the Wildcats clinched a share of the 2024 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season title.
It's the Wildcats' first regular season title since winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 1956. The three victories give the Wildcats their most wins under head coach Kendrick Biggs and most since 2010. Wiley will head to the 2024 Hope Credit Union GCAC Baseball Championship at the Hank Aaron Sports Academy in Jackson, Mississippi, from Wednesday until Sunday.
SATURDAY
GAME 1
WILEY 18, PHILANDER SMITH 5
The Wildcats (24-17, 18-3 GCAC) put up 18 runs on 17 hits. Ryan Ready went 3-for-4, hitting his seventh and eighth home runs of the season, with three runs scored and six runs batted in. Jacob Perez went 4-for-5 with three doubles, three runs and an RBI. Jhan Carlos Javier went 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored. Abel Rodriguez Jr. hit two doubles and scored a run. Kai Woodard hit his fifth home run, drove in two runs and scored two.
Jaylen Cream picked up his third win and second complete game. Only two of the five runs he allowed were earned. He held Philander Smith scoreless in four innings and struck out four.
A two-run single by Ready and a two-RBI double by Amir Mason sparked a six-run first inning. The Wildcats scored 13 runs before Philander Smith got on the board in the third inning.
GAME 2
WILEY 1, PHILANDER SMITH 0
Wiley University pitcher Keyon Guillory was too tough for the Panthers to solve, as held them to one hit and struck out 12 batters for his third career shutout. He picked up his seventh victory, fourth complete game and third with double-digit strikeouts.
Philander Smith University pitcher Brett Marcel was just as effective, holding the Wildcats to a run on five hits. Both teams were held scoreless through six innings. Wiley didn't get a runner in scoring position until the fourth inning. However, he was erased quickly on a flyout double play.
In the seventh inning, Anthony Castaneda reached on a fielder's choice. Ajari Camp courtesy ran, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Kai Woodard hit a fly ball to right field, which was deep enough for Camp to score.
Guillory allowed a one-out walk and that runner stole second. He got a strikeout and a ground out to seal the game. Philander Smith's first two batters reached base in the third inning. Guillory got two strikeouts and a force-out to end the inning. Philander Smith had a runner each second in the sixth inning but Guillory struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
SUNDAY
GAME 3
WILEY 14, PHILANDER SMITH 3 (7 innings)
Ivan Del Villar recorded his third multi-home run game this season with his 10th and 11th home runs, becoming the first Wildcat to reach double-digits in home runs since Eduardo Fernandez accomplished the feat in 2012. He recorded three hits, drove in three runs and scored twice. Perez drove in four runs on two doubles. Mason went 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs. Javier went 2-for-4 with a double and a run.
Nick Rodriguez started and earned his fourth win and threw his first career complete game. He held the Panthers to three runs on seven hits and struck out six.
Wiley took the lead with their base running. Eddie Garza and Ready stole home. Mason stole second and two wild pitches brought him home. The Wildcats extended their lead to six in the third inning. Del Villar hit his first home run of the game. Mason tripled and scored on a throwing error. Javier doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly.
With five runs in the fifth, Wiley increased the margin to 10. Abel Rodriguez brought home Camp with a bunt. Perez's second two-RBI double pushed the margin to eight. Ready brought home a run with a groundball to short. Del Villar scored a run with a single.
The seeding for the tournament is to be announced. After it was decided on Tuesday that Talladega College and Southern University at New Orleans would not make up the last game of the series, the former is seeking a forfeit on Sunday because they believe SUNO is responsible for the game not being made up and wants to be able to obtain the No. 1 seed.
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