DOVER, Del. – Morgan Rupp hit a bases-loaded walk-off single over the centerfielder in the tenth inning to give the Wesley College baseball team a 3-2 victory over Methodist University on Monday afternoon at Bob Reed Field. The Wolverines, under the leadership of first-year head coach Bret Underwood, improve to 30-14 on the season which ties a program-record for wins in a season (2007).
In a game where hits came at a premium, it was clutch hitting that helped Wesley earn the victory. Trailing, 1-0, going into the bottom of the fifth, the Wolverines scored a pair of runs on a double down the left field line by Jon Carlson. Scoring on the play were Sam Farnell and Bryan Reshetar who had reached earlier in the inning by getting hit by a pitch and a walk.
Methodist was able to tie the score in its half of the ninth off of starting pitcher DJ Keckler but left a runner stranded in scoring position.
Wesley was unable to score in the bottom of the ninth and Jordan Lozzi retired the side in order in the top of the tenth.
Matt Robles got the Wesley half of the tenth started with a one-out single to right and Benedict advanced him to third with a double to center field. With first base open, the Monarchs elected to intentionally walk Carlson to get to Rupp. With the outfield playing in, Rupp blasted a shot over the head of the centerfielder to give the Navy & White win number 30.
Keckler and Methodist starter Chris Perry had a pitcher's duel going with Perry striking out nine in just 4.2 innings before getting pulled with an injury. Keckler also got the no-decision despite striking out nine while allowing just two runs on four hits in nine innings.
In place of Perry, the Green & Gold utilized Josh Ayres who allowed just four hits in 4.2 innings of work.
Also collecting a hit for Wesley was Geoff Kimmel, who broke the Wesley single-season record for doubles (15) with a leadoff two-base knock in the sixth. The contest was the 163rd of his career, also breaking a school record.
At 30-14, the Wolverines will hope to hear their name called as an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament. The brackets for the Division III Tournament will be announced on Sunday, May 13, on NCAA.com.