Knights Complete Sweep of Delaware Tech, Win Third Straight and Climb Back to .500

GEORGETOWN, DE — The CCBC Essex Knights continued their momentum on Wednesday afternoon, taking down Delaware Tech 8-4 in Game 2 of the doubleheader. With the win, the Knights completed the sweep, secured their third straight victory, and climbed back to .500 at 17-17 for the first time in April.

Essex struck early in the top of the first inning. After back-to-back singles, sophomore Justin Cook (Bradenton, FL / Manatee) drove in the game's first run with an RBI single.

Delaware Tech responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning, tying the score on a walk by Phillip LoMedico, a wild pitch, and a fielder's choice RBI from Xavier Efford.

In the third, the Knights pulled ahead for good when Rafael Castillo (Queens, NY / High School for Construction Trades, Engineering, and Architecture) blasted a solo home run to left field — his fifth of the season and a team-best. The shot gave CCBC Essex a 4-3 lead, which they never gave up.

Freshman Diego Garcia (Bradenton, FL / Manatee) made his first collegiate start and delivered a strong outing, going 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run, striking out three and walking four to earn the win and move to 3-0 on the season.

Sophomore Yariel Lopez (Cidra, PR / Bilingual Education School at Cidra) and freshman Logan Castro (Brantford, ON, Canada / Brantford Collegiate Institute) both provided key relief appearances to hold Delaware Tech scoreless over the middle innings. Sophomore Austin Shiflett (Dundalk, MD / Sparrows Point) closed the door with a save.

CCBC Essex totaled 11 hits in the game. Cook, the team's RBI leader with 31 on the year, went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs, continuing to be a clutch contributor in the middle of the lineup. Leadoff hitter Maxwell Urena (Brooklyn, NY / Christ the King) was 3-for-4 with two stolen bases. Castillo and Eduardo Zayas (Cidra, PR / Bilingual Education School at Cidra) each added multi-hit games.

Delaware Tech was led by Quincy Martin, Michael Brubaker, Efford, and Jordan Neitfeld, who each tallied a hit. Efford, LoMedico, and Neitfeld drove in a run apiece. The home team showed discipline at the plate with seven walks, led by Zakary Sophy and Frank Cruz, who each drew two.

Next Up for the Knights

CCBC Essex returns home for a Sunday doubleheader against Anne Arundel. Due to rain in the forecast, the scheduled road doubleheader at Chesapeake has been moved to Monday.