Sabella's 10th-Inning Walkoff Home Run Clinches Wilkes Baseball's Sweep over Moravian
EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – The Wilkes University baseball team capped off their weekend series against Moravian on Sunday afternoon, clinching a sweep of the Greyhounds in extra innings.
A walkoff home run in the bottom of the 10th off the bat of Michael Sabella (Cornelius, NC/Hough) sent the home fans happy as the Colonels remained perfect in Landmark Conference play to begin the 2026 season.
Wilkes improves to 9-5 this season, with a record of 6-0 in conference play. The Greyhounds fall to 7-9 overall, with a Landmark record of 2-4. With the win, the Blue and Gold improved to 9-0 all-time against Moravian since joining the Landmark Conference.
In the top of the first, Moravian forced Hunter Lawall's (West Wyoming, PA/Wyoming Area) hand as he loaded the bases on two hit-by-pitches and a single. But the Colonel right-hander got out of the jam when Luke Keitsock lined out to left fielder Andres Cruz (Wayne, PA/Radnor) to end the frame.
For the third time in the series, the Colonels scored the opening run, this time in the bottom of the first. An RBI single from Cruz, who extended his hitting streak, brought Jack Mathis (Exeter PA/Wyoming Area) home, making it 1-0.
Moravian answered back in the top of the second with an RBI single of their own. David Vozzo picked up a base knock to right field, driving in a run and tying the game at one.
After a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third from Lawall, the Colonels provided some run support as they tacked two runs on the board. Jack Smale (Kunkletown, PA/Pleasant Valley) scored on a wild pitch and a few plays later, Cruz hit an RBI groundout to score Mathis once again.
Lawall continued his work on the mound, notching two strikeouts in the top of the fourth, followed by another scoreless frame in the top of the fifth.
In the bottom of the fifth, Cruz struck yet again as he crushed a pitch to deep right field, making it a 4-1 game.
Moravian answered back in the top of the sixth. Tyler Ansell (Knoxville, TN/South Doyle) forced in two runs on the mound following a hit-by-pitch and a walk with the bases loaded. Ethan Grodack (Lake Ariel, PA/Western Wayne) came into the game with two outs, striking out David Rodriguez to end the inning.
Grodack and Moravian starter Andrew Sagrestano both pitched scoreless frames in the seventh inning, keeping the score at 4-3 entering the eighth.
Moravian tied things up in the eighth when Sean Superka brought Vozzo home on an RBI single to center. The Colonels loaded up the bases in the bottom of the inning, but were unable to break the deadlock.
With the go-ahead run in scoring position for the Greyhounds in the ninth, Wilkes brought Nikolas Schwartz (Jim Thorpe, PA/Jim Thorpe) from the bullpen. The first-year pitcher came up large for the Colonels, forcing Owen Ness to ground into a double play on the first pitch he threw.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Colonels had the winning run at third, but were unable to convert following a groundout from Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) to end the inning.
A scoreless top of the 10th from Schwartz saw the Colonels have the chance to walk the game off. Sabella did just that as he led off the inning, taking Nick Leonard deep to left field to clinch the win for the home side.
Colonels pitching combined for eight strikeouts on the day, with Schwartz picking up his first collegiate win on the mound. Wilkes recorded nine hits, with Cruz, Mathis and Devin Markert (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) each recording two. Cruz's three RBIs led the team.
For Moravian, Sagrestano went seven innings on the mound, striking out two while walking four and allowing seven hits, as well as four earned runs. Sean Heissler and Caden Ward combined for two scoreless innings. Nick Leonard was given the loss. Vozzo's two hits led the team in that category.
The Colonels continue their homestand tomorrow, March 23 for a Monday afternoon matchup against Arcadia University. First pitch against the Knights is slated for 4 p.m. at Bruggeworth Field.
