Wesley Falls in CAC Semifinals

Box Score

SALISBURY, Md. - Wesley College had runners on the corners with one out in the ninth, but Stevenson's Wade Keenan retired the next two batters to preserve a 9-8 Mustang win in the CAC Semifinals.

Wesley jumped out to a 4-1 lead after three innings, despite just one hit.  The Wolverines benefitted from six walks total walks in the second and third innings.  The lone hit was a big one, though, as Alex Carter (Dover, Del./Caesar Rodney) hit a two run homer to left, his second of the year, to score the Wolverines first two runs of the game.  Stu Madden (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) drove in a third run in the second inning with a ground out.

After a ground out by Kyle Van Beek drove in a run in the bottom of the inning, Carter made it 4-1 with an RBI ground out in the third.

Grant Morlock's (Bel Air, Md./Fallston) fourth home run, a two-run shot to left center gave the Wolverines a 6-1 lead in the fourth.

The Mustangs loaded the bases with three singles in the bottom of the inning and Dustin Tarlow delived a grand slam that pulled Stevenson to within a run at 6-5. 

Two more scored in the fifth on a Griffin Stewart homer to give the Mustangs a 7-6 lead.  Wesley answered right back in the top of the sixth with an RBI double by Scott Marshall (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) that scored Kevin Murphy (Middletown, Md./Middletown). 

Stevenson took the lead for good in the bottom half, scoring on an RBI double by Wade Keenan and a single by Stewart for a 9-7 lead.

Carter picked up his fourth RBI of the game in the eighth with another ground out, but Wesley could get no closer.

Keenan picked up the win in relief, his fifth.  It was his second win of the tournament over the Wolverines as the lefty was the winning pitcher in the first round match up between the two teams.

He also collected a game-high three hits. 

Mike Casale (Dagsboro, Del./Indian River) took the loss, his first.

Madden, Geoff Kimmel (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence) and Marshall each had two hits for Wesley. 

The Wolverines stole four bases in the contest to run their season school and conference record to 133.

The loss eliminates Wesley from the CAC Playoffs.  The Wolverines are back in action on Monday, April 20 with a non-conference contest against Eastern at 4:00 PM at Bob Reed Field.