April 17, 2021

Raiders split a pair with FGCU on in Alabama

The Wright State Raiders returned to action for the first time in 20 days on Friday, splitting a neutral site doubleheader against Florida Gulf Coast.

The Raiders dropped the opener 13-12 despite a late game push before winning the nightcap 10-3.

In the opener, both teams scored early, with the Raiders plating two runs in the top of the first on a Zane Harris double before Florida Gulf Coast answered with four runs in the bottom of the first. After a Sammy Sass RBI single in the top of the third, FGCU again answered, this time with two runs in the bottom of the third.

The Eagles plated three runs in the fifth, but Wright State responded with three runs of its own in the top of the sixth, using RBI singles from Gehrig Anglin and Tyler Black (Toronto, Ont), along with a run scoring via an error, to cut the deficit to thee at 9-6. Again, FGCU had an answer, responding wit three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend the advantage before the Raiders made on final push.

In the eighth, Wright State saw the middle of the order come through once again, with RBI singles from Hamilton, Sass and Harris. A FGCU solo homer in the bottom of the eighth made the margin four, which would be just enough as the Raiders plated three runs in the top of the ninth – all via bases loaded walks – before a double play with the bases loaded ended the afternoon.

The Raiders left 12 men on base in the loss, with two runners stranded to end the sixth, eighth and ninth, while out hitting the Eagles 18-12. Anglin, Black (Toronto, Ont.) and Harris all had three hits to pace the offense, with four more Raiders each tallying two hits. Harris drove in four RBI, while Hamilton, Black and Sass each brought in a pair of runners. Jake Schrand allowed six runs on five hits and four walks in four innings to get saddled with the loss.

The nightcap did not feature the same offensive output, but saw the Raiders hang a six-spot in the eighth to put the game away. FGCU, the visitors in the second game, got on the board first with a run in the top of the second before Wright State immediately responded with a Cameron Rountree two-run single in the bottom of the frame to take the lead. The Raiders added a single run in the third on a Harris sacrifice fly and an Anglin RBI single before Florida Gulf Coast pulled to within one with a two-run homer in the sixth.

The Raiders were relentless in the eighth, sending 11 men to the plate in the six-run inning that was highlighted by a Damon Dues RBI double and a two-run single from Alec Sayre. Rountree added another RBI with a sacrifice fly in the frame, while Hamilton had an RBI single and Jay Luikart drew a bases loaded walk to bring home a run.

Sayre finished with three hits to lead the offense, while Black, Sass, Rountree and Anglin each had two hits. Rountree drove in three runs and Sayre added two RBI of his own.

On the day Black had a double, two singles and two RBIs in the opener and two singles in the nitecap. C Konner Piotto (Abbotsford, BC) doubled and singled in the opener.