For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – Ryan Bradigan pitched a complete-game two-hitter to lead top-ranked Conrad past No. 7 St. Mark’s, 3-0, on April 23.
The Red Wolves’ offense had no easy task as it had to face Spartans starter Billy Sullivan. Red Wolves Kyle Walker led off with a double but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple. Spartans centerfielder Austin Colmery fired the ball to Brian Gilardi, who nailed the runner at third as Chris Ludman applied the tag. That play came in handy as Brock Nowell doubled two batters later, but Sullivan got out of the jam.
Matthew Theodorakis singled in the second inning for St. Mark’s but was caught in a rundown between second and third to end the inning. Sullivan got in trouble in the third inning. Kevin Russo opened the inning with a single, and Nowell doubled him home for a 1-0 lead. Nowell took third on a Spartans error and scored on a suicide squeeze by Jack Sisofo.
Bradigan was cruising. He gave up a hit to Richard Gannett to lead off the fifth, but got a double play ground out on the next pitch. The Spartans did get a runner on in the sixth by a walk but couldn’t piece anything together.
Sullivan went four innings, striking out six, and was relieved by Chris Ludman. Bradigan singled home a run in the bottom of the sixth and then retired the 3-4-5 hitters in order in the seventh to end the game.
Bradigan picked up his sixth win of the year for the Red Wolves (9-0), the lone remaining undefeated team in the state. They travel to Mount Pleasant Tuesday for a 3:45 p.m. start.
The Spartans (7-4) have lost four of their last five as they have faced four top-10 teams in this stretch. They travel to Seaford on Friday for a 4:15 p.m. first pitch.
