Orange baseball edges Northwood behind Bryse Wilson’s 12 Ks
In a showdown for first place in the Big 8 Conference, Orange’s Bryse Wilson struck out 12 and scored the game-winning run as the Panthers defeated Northwood baseball 2-1 at Chargers Field.
After giving up two hits and a run in the first inning, the Chargers only mustered one baserunner, who reached via error in the third inning.
Trailing 1-0 going into the fifth inning, Cameron Mehl singled off relief pitcher Brodie Beasley to score Jamiel Jordan (running for Cole Campanile, who was hit by a pitch) and tie the game. All-American catcher Brad Debo singled to center, but Jaydin Poteat was thrown out at the plate by Jimmy Mazurek to end the fifth.
Wilson started the sixth with a single to right field, stole second, and went to third on a wild pitch. With Jason Slaughter at bat, Wilson scored the winning run off another wild pitch.
The Panthers (13-4, 6-1) failed to take advantage of several scoring opportunities, loading the bases with one out in the sixth and seventh without putting anyone across. They also grounded into double plays to end the second and third.
Nonetheless, those were more opportunities than Northwood could generate. The Chargers went down in order in five of their seven at-bats.
The Chargers (12-5, 5-2) mounted their only run when Oldham sent a flair down the right field line. Conner Leinbach, who singled in the prior at-bat, ran through a stop sign at third to score.
Northwood starter Davis Palermo was in the midst of a two-hit shutout before he was abruptly replaced in the fifth.
The teams will finish their two-game series on Friday in Hillsborough.
Turning point
With Northwood clinging to a 1-0 lead, Orange had runners at first and second with one out when Poteat sent a bouncer back to Palermo. It appeared to be a double play ball, but Palermo threw high to second. Shortstop Logan Crabtree jumped high to force runner Johnny Flynn out at second.
Palermo, despite giving up two hits, was replaced by right fielder Brodie Beasley. It led to Mehl’s single. After Palermo left the game, six of the next seven Orange batters reached and two scored.
Three to know
Bryse Wilson, Orange: Scored the game-winning run along with throwing the last six innings without giving up a hit, striking out 12.
Cameron Mehl, Orange: Poked the game-tying hit to right field.
Brad Debo, Orange: The catcher for Wilson over the past four years, Debo returned behind the plate for a Wilson start for the first time since March 21. Wilson is 5-0 when Debo is catching him this year.
They said it
“There’s a reason why he’s been hitting in the cleanup spot all year. That kind of stuff is expected from year. He’s been playing on the varsity since he was a freshman. He needs to come through in those clutch situations. Northwood came out and smoked a few balls off of him early. He got a little angry at himself and I think he used that as motivation.” – Orange coach Dean Dease on Bryse Wilson.
This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 10:35 PM with the headline "Orange baseball edges Northwood behind Bryse Wilson’s 12 Ks."