MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Cardinals ran their win streak to four on Monday with a 7-1 win over Wilkes (1-3) at the Ripken Experience. CUA (6-2) once again received strong pitching, including six innings of three-hit ball from winning hurler Justin D'Alessandro.
Both teams pitched well during the early going, with neither squad able to generate much of anything offensively through the first five innings.
CUA finally broke through in the sixth with a five-run frame.
Tim Mierzwa led off with a single and Matt Grieb followed with a walk. Marc Hanna was next and he brought home Mierzwa with a single of his own.
After a double play moved Grieb over to third, Dan Sullivan laced a single to plate the Cardinals second run of the inning.
A Wilkes error with two outs then forced home CUA's third run of the afternoon, and Dan Hinchcliff completed the scoring with a two-run double.
The Colonels got on the board in the bottom half of the sixth when Stephen Ruch doubled home Tay Sidler with one out.
The Cards responded right away with two more runs in the seventh as they opened up a 7-1 lead. The big blow this time came off the bat of Grieb, who slammed a two-run homer for his team-leading second round tripper.
From there, Wilkes was unable to make a dent in the CUA pitching, as D'Alessandro, Kevin Farley, Jake Meister and Thomas Travaglia combined to throw 9 innings of one-run ball. The foursome allowed only six hits, while striking out eight.
Marc Perry suffered the loss for the Colonels, after allowing seven hits and four runs in 5.2 innings.
On Tuesday, CUA will face No. 4 Christopher Newport in Myrtle Beach. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.
