Ninth Inning Rally Powers Wilkes Baseball Past Lebanon Valley
FORT PIERCE, FL. – The Wilkes University baseball team resumed play on Wednesday morning, defeating Lebanon Valley 7-6 in a thrilling comeback win. Led by Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) in his first start on the mound in 2024, as well as a four-run comeback in the dying moments of the game, the Colonels clinched their second win of the season over the Flying Dutchmen.
With the victory, Wilkes improves to 3-3 in the early part of the 2026 season, while Lebanon Valley falls to 2-3.
The Colonels tacked their first run on the board early on in the bottom of the first. Nathan Loch (Effort, PA/Pleasant Valley) led off the game with a walk, later scoring on an RBI single from Andres Cruz (Wayne, PA/Radnor). In the bottom of the first, Show retired the side in order on 15 pitches while striking out two.
Dutchman starter Connor Smith retired Wilkes in order in the top of the second, also striking out two in the inning.
For the next three or so innings, Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) remained in control until the bottom of the fith. The Dutchmen tied things up on a wild pitch, with Devin Kreger coming in to score the equalizing run. A few plays later, A hit by pitch with the bases loaded forced in a run, making it a 2-1 ballgame.
Ethan Grodack (Lake Ariel, PA/Western Wayne) then entered the game from the bullpen, striking out his first batter faced, sending Tyler Satterfield packing on five pitches ending the inning with Lebanon Valley in front, 2-1.
In the top of the seventh, the Colonels completed their first comeback of the day with help from Jack Smale (Kunkletown, PA/Pleasant Valley) and Michael Sabella (Cornelius, NC/Hough). Both recorded RBI doubles, giving Wilkes a 3-2 lead going into the stretch.
The Dutchmen answered right back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the ninth, with Kody Philips driving in two with a two-run single to short-right field to make it 4-3.
Lebanon Valley added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. After an errant throw to third from Gavin Lacoe (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) that zipped past the Colonel dugout, Kreger and Kenny Palmieri crossed the plate to increase the Dutchman advantage to three runs.
With the Colonels down by three runs in the bottom of the ninth, they needed a big spark from the top of the order, and that's exactly what they received.
Smale walked to lead off the inning, with Cruz and Matthew Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) both singling to left field to load the bases. Lacoe walked on the next play, forcing in a run to make it 6-4.
After Lacoe's walk, Mark Nazar (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) took a hit by pitch, tacking another run on the board for the Navy and Gold. Jacob Cambria (Elysburg, PA/Southern Columbia) walked, forcing in the tying run before Richie Rossi (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton Area) scored from third on a wild pitch from Jordy Polanco.
Grodack threw a seven-pitch ninth inning, sending Lebanon Valley down in order to clinch the comeback victory in the Sunshine State.
Mike Show (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) and Grodack combined for 13 strikeouts, with the latter recording seven in 4.1 innings of work. Altogether, the Colonels drew nine walks and 3 HBPs, with Loch and Smale each walking twice.
Lebanon Valley's staff struck out 14 batters in total, with Smith leading the charge with 5 Ks. Kreger had an impressive day at the plate, going 4-4 with three singles and a double.
After a day off tomorrow, the Colonels conclude play in their spring break trip with a matchup against Alvernia University on Friday, March 6. First pitch against the Golden Wolves is slated for 10 a.m. from the Lawnwood Baseball Complex in Fort Pierce, FL.
