MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.  – The Hilbert Baseball team rallied for a 7-6 walk-off victory against the University of Valley Forge in a late-night game played under the lights on Griffith Field.
Jack Duffek's walk-off single lifted Hilbert to a 2-2 record while in Myrtle Beach and Brendan Walsh picked up his second win down south.
The Hawks earned their first victory over Valley Forge this spring after dropped a DH series February 26 at Father Judge HS in Philadelphia.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Hilbert, with bases loaded in the bottom of the 1st, scored the game's first run off an Emmanuel McClain fielder's choice.
- Josh McTigue held his own on the mound, giving up one hit before a bases-loaded single scored two for the Patriots in the top of the 3rd. Yet, Hilbert responded when Patrick Whelan sprinted home off a wild pitch and after Derek Martinez hit a double to right field. McClain knocked in the Hawks third run building a 3-2 Hilbert lead in the bottom of the third.
- Hilbert's defense was spot on, turning another double play in the 4th and catcher Jon Watson's throw beat the runner to second in the 5th.
- After Valley Forge knotted the scoreboard at 4-4, Hilbert was in scoring position in the bottom of the 6th; John Riviere-Vejas doubled, then stole 3rd but never made it home before the third out.
- The Patriots scored two runs off one hit in the 7th taking a two-run lead.
- Riviere-Vejas and Thomas Evans opened with a pair of hits, and forced a UVF change on the hump. Patrick Whelan's single to center loaded the bags, setting the table for the come-back win. Derek Martinez knocked in the first run and Jack Duffek's walk-off single scored the PR Frank McCabe and Evans for the win.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Martinez (D), McClain and Duffek were each credited with 2RBI off one hit while Riviere-Vejas (2R/D), Evans (2R), and Whelan each went 2-for-4.
Brendan Walsh earned his second win this season while facing nine batters, striking out three with one hit in the win.
UP NEXT:
Hilbert, 3-5, will face Clarks Summit in another 9-inning affair on Thursday, March 9th at Socastee High School beginning at 10:00 am.