CLAYMONT — Salesianum’s baseball team rebounded from a 7-0 deficit to tie the game in the fifth inning, and the Sals literally walked it off in the seventh in an 8-7 win over Conrad on April 5 at Dyer Field in Claymont.
The game, postponed from earlier in the week because of rain, was the first of five the Sals will play at Dyer Field while the school’s athletic fields are converted to turf. The teams made sure it was a memorable one.
The first four innings flew by, with the lone run coming in the third on a sacrifice fly for the Red Wolves. But that changed in the fifth inning.
Conrad loaded the bases on a walk, single and bunt single, with another single bringing a run home. After a pitching change and a strikeout, two runs scored on a single to center field. Before the inning ended, the Red Wolves had tacked on three more runs and had a 7-0 lead.
Salesianum had been held to two base runners through the first four innings, but they found their offense in the bottom of the fifth. Vincent Offutt singled to open the frame, and he moved to third on a double by Luke Steinrock. Matt McSorley flied out to left, with Offutt scoring.
Michael Dell’Oso walked, and Conrad went to the bullpen. C.J. Moxley greeted reliever Seth Strecker with a run-scoring double. The Sals took advantage of a walk and hit batter, scoring two runs on a double by Matt Speicher to deep right center. Speicher scored the tying run later in the inning when Tre Villanova singled to center.
The Sals had a runner at third base with one out in the sixth but could not score, and it came down to their final at bat. Offutt walked with one out,and pinch runner Tai Wu moved to third on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt. After two more walks loaded the bases, Dell’Oso completed a big day at the plate with a bases on balls, driving in the winning run.
James Lai picked up the win for the Sals in relief. He pitched the final two innings, striking out five and allowing just a two-out double in the seventh. Dell’Oso was on base four times with a hit and three walks and a run scored in addition to the game-winning RBI. The Sals (1-1) are on the road Saturday, facing Sussex Central at noon.
For the Red Wolves, Kaden Netta and Strecker each had two hits. Conrad (0-2) takes on Delaware Military on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Newark National Little League.
Photos by Mike Lang.
