For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – The Archmere Auks used a four-run seventh inning to beat the St Elizabeth Vikings, 7-3, on May 16 at Canby Park. Andrew Orzel pitched seven strong innings, striking out 11, and he contributed two doubles with two runs batted in on offense.
It was a pitching dual early between Orzel and Vikings pitcher Hayden Trimarco. The Auks struck first in the third inning as Colin Lynch was hit by a pitch with two outs. Tighe Watson walked and Orzel followed with his second double of the game, this one driving in both Lynch and Watson for a 2-0 lead.
St. Elizabeth got a run in the fourth as Nate Thomas had a leadoff double and scored on a double by David Hazleton. The game stayed that way until the sixth inning, when Joe Singley led off with a single. Courtesy runner Patrick McVey stole second, and Daniel Matranga laid down a bunt to move him to third, but the throw to first got away and McVey scored to make it 3-1.
The Vikings picked up an unearned run in the sixth. Thomas reached on an error and scored on a infield single by Michael Jamison. Orzel walked the next two to load the bases but struck out the next batter to get out of the jam.
Archmere struck in the seventh as Trimarco appeared to run out of gas. Lynch walked and Watson singled to begin the rally. A Singley single brought in Lynch to make it 4-2. Matranga then delivered the biggest hit, a two-run triple to deep center field. After a pitching change, Trimarco, the Auks draw up the perfect play. Matranga appeared to be stealing home, leaving third before the pitch, and Nick Talley laid down the squeeze to score the run.
The Vikings were able to get one of those runs back in the seventh. Again, Thomas was involved, this time tripling and scoring when Hazleton singled.
The Auks (11-5) host Delaware Military Academy today at 3:45 p.m. looking for payback after losing at DMA earlier this year. The Vikings (8-9) host Salesianum today at 3:45 p.m. in their season finale.
