Wilmington, Knox split
Ft. Myers doubleheader

Quakers 2-1 on spring swing

(Game 1 Box Score]

Game 2 Box Score]

March 13, 2006

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Wilmington College's bats did their best Jekyll and Hyde routine Monday as the Quakers split a doubleheader with Knox College.

Leading 5-3 in the sixth inning, the Quakers (2-1) erupted for six runs to post an 11-3 win in the opener. Catcher Ben Butler (Beavercreek/Carroll) had three hits and two RBI to lead WC. Shortstop Greg Krieger (Bellefontaine) singled and doubled and centerfielder Tom Harter (Westlake) singled and knocked in a pair of runs. Eight Quakers had at least one of the team's 11 total hits.

Jimmy Wolverton

"Through the whole lineup, we've got guys that really swing the bat," WC head coach Tony Haley said. "Our number eight and nine guys should hit from .340 to .360. It's important that all through the lineup we hit. They have confidence that they can hit. They were waiting around; they knew it was close to the end and they just pounded the ball in the sixth."

The win went to Brody Burson (Hillsboro/Lynchburg-Clay) who pitched .2 scoreless inning in relief of starter Clayton Reynolds (Blanchester). Reynolds went 4.2 and allowed 10 hits and three runs. For a second straight day, Jamison George (Mount Sterling/Miami Trace) picked up a door-slamming save. The sophomore right-hander struck out four over the final 1.2 innings.

In the nightcap, Knox's Nick Morris no-hit Wilmington until Mike Kroeger (Cincinnati/Elder) singled with two outs in the sixth inning as the Prairie Fire earned a split with a 9-2 win.

"He threw fastballs, and we are a fastball hitting team," Haley said. "He hit our first two batters in the first inning and we couldn't score. The next inning, we got two guys on with a hit batter and a walk and didn't score."

Knox played big-inning ball in the fourth, scoring five times to chase Wilmington starter Matt Meyer (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East). Burson and Scott Ensell (Steubenville) pitched well in relief for the Quakers, but Wilmington managed just a pair of seventh-inning runs.

"We just couldn't get it going," Haley said. "We tried a hit-and-run to make something happen, but nothing worked. We were just flat. Maybe it will be a wake-up call for Illinois College (Tuesday). They are a pretty good team."