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Millersville

Jeff Sabater
6
Winner Millersville MILL 2-1
4
Wingate WU 3-3
Winner
Millersville MILL
2-1
6
Final
4
Wingate WU
3-3
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E
Millersville MILL 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 6 8 0
Wingate WU 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 12 3

W: Costello, Mike (1-0) L: C. Riehl (1-1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Ethan Hulsey, Director of Athletic Communications

'Ville baseball tops Wingate in 11 innings, takes the series

WINGATE, N.C. - Jeff Sabater gave Wingate fits all weekend, and he was likely the last Millersville hitter they wanted to face in the 11th inning. Sabater's speed contributed to a throwing error, and two pitches later, he scored on Matthew Williams' sacrifice fly, breaking a tie and helping Millersville to a 6-4, series-clinching win over Wingate Sunday. 

Sabater reached base 10 times and stole six bases in the three-game series. On Sunday, while he went 1 for 5, he drew a walk, reached on an error, drove in two runs and stole two bases. Bren Taylor, who moved Sabater into scoring position with his 11th-inning single, went 2 for 6 and finished the series with four hits. 

"Jeff is a weapon," said Millersville head coach Jon Shehan. "His bat-to-ball skills combined with his speed are tough to defend. Opposing infielders have to play at a lightning pace to throw him out and a lot of guys rush. He also puts you in a place where you manage differently because you don't have to bunt him over. Running and hitting with Bren Taylor worked like a charm, and Matthew Williams did his job with the sacrifice fly."

Millersville rallied from behind for the second consecutive game. Millersville led 3-0 entering the bottom of the sixth, but Wingate scored four to take the lead. Keegan Soltis drove in Hunter Stevens with a single in the eighth to knot the score. The Millersville bullpen navigated five scoreless innings, giving its lineup a chance to win. Sabater, Taylor and Williams put the Marauders back on top, and Sam Morris, who pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief and stole two bases, added an insurance run by driving in Taylor with a single to left. 

Morris and the bullpen walked a fine line late. Wingate put at least one runner on base in each of the final five innings, including two in the ninth and 10th. Evan Rishell tossed two scoreless frames. Morris, Gavin Lill and Mike Costello took it into the 11th where Matt Shamany (1-0) worked around two hits for his first win since Feb. 20, 2022. 

Millersville starter Garet Blankenbiller was stellar in his no-decision. He faced three over the minimum through four innings, scattering four hits without issuing a walk. He exited after being hit by a comebacker.  

"Blank was outstanding," said Shehan. "His preparation was outstanding this offseason, and you're seeing a guy who is hungry after a down year. He was impressive today. If he doesn't get hit by the base hit, he probably hangs around for another inning."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • Including the close to last season, Matthew Williams has a five-game hitting streak after a single on Sunday. He led the team in the series with six RBIs, six hits in 12 at-bats and drew three walks. 
  • Sabater, Morris and Hunter Stevens all swiped two bases Sunday. Millersville capped the series with 15 steals in 16 attempts while Wingate totaled three in four attempts. 
  • Freshmen Xavier Smith (third base) and Troy Chamberlin (catcher) made their first career starts. Smith went 1 for 3 with two walks and a run scored. 
UP NEXT
  • Millersville hosts Clarion for a home-opener doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 22. 
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