Knights Walk Off Against Erie CC Kats to Split the Doubleheader

By CCBC Essex Athletics

Rosedale, MD – CCBC Essex rebounded from a tough game one loss with a thrilling walk-off win, defeating nationally ranked Erie CC Kats 3-2 in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader at The Kingdom.

With the game tied at two in the bottom of the eighth, Cameron Brewer (York, PA / Susquehannock) came through with a clutch RBI infield single, driving in the winning run and sealing the victory for the Knights.

Both teams received strong performances on the mound. CCBC Essex pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts, while Erie CC hurlers fanned six.

The Knights struck first in the opening frame, taking a 1-0 lead when Eduardo Zayas (Cidra, PR / Bilingual Education School at Cidra) stole home on a daring play.

Erie CC tied the game in the top of the third on an RBI single down the right field line by Iyad Ansari.

Essex reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth, 2-1, when an Erie error allowed a run to cross the plate.

The Kats once again drew even in the top of the seventh when Ansari delivered his second RBI single of the game, sending the contest into extra innings.

Mitchell Hineline (Mount Wolf, PA / Northeaster) earned the win for the Knights, improving his record to 1-0. The right-hander pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing just one hit while striking out one and walking one.

Austin Shiflett (Dundalk, MD / Sparrows Point) got the start for CCBC Essex, tossing four strong innings. The freshman allowed one run on four hits while striking out four and walking two.

Diego Garcia (Bradenton, FL / Manatee) was dominant in relief, striking out five over three full innings. However, with two outs in the seventh, an unfortunate seeing-eye single allowed the tying run to score, preventing him from recording the save.

Offensively, Zayas and Maxwell Urena (Brooklyn, NY / Christ the King) each recorded one hit. Brewer delivered the game-winning RBI, while Zayas was a force on the basepaths, swiping four bags. The Knights stole seven bases in total and were flawless in the field, playing error-free baseball. Gabriel Vargas (Cidra, PR / Centennial (TN)) was stellar behind the plate, calling a strong game and controlling the opposing running game.

For Erie, Ansari powered the offense with two RBIs, going 2-for-4 at the plate.

With the victory, CCBC Essex improves to 10-8 on the season. The Knights will remain at home for a key region doubleheader against College of Southern Maryland on Tuesday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 PM at The Kingdom.