WILSON, N.C. - The Wilson Warbirds completed their largest comeback of the season, overcoming a six-run deficit to beat Delmarva 13-11 in game three of the series Thursday night at Wilson Ballpark.
Delmarva (15-27) struck first, taking a 2-0 lead, but Juan Ortuño led off the game for Wilson (21-21) with a solo home run. The Warbirds tied the game on a Luis Lameda single, and the teams were knotted at two after one.
Delmarva raced out to an 8-2 advantage in the top of the fourth, but Wilson cut into it by moving runners around the bases and only trailed 8-4 after four. Delmarva added one in the fifth thanks to a DJ Layton sacrifice fly to right field and felt comfortable with a 9-4 lead.
Slowly but surely, the Warbirds chipped away at the lead with RBI singles from Nick Monile, Brady Ebel, and Jose Anderson. A Frederi Montero sacrifice fly brought Wilson to within one, down 9-8. With two on and two out, Lameda smashed a double into the left-center field gap, plating two runs and giving Wilson its first lead of the day at 10-9.
Delmarva took control once more, tying the game at 10 with a sacrifice fly from Andres Nolaya in the sixth. Stiven Martinez’s solo home run in the eighth meant the Warbirds had just six outs to play with, trailing 11-10.
Wilson did not need all six. Kevin Garcia found his way on to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Nick Monile then drew a two-out walk, setting the table for Ortuño once more. Ortuño connected on a 1-0 offering from Adrian Heredia (L, 1-2), belting a three-run shot to left field to give Wilson a 13-11 lead that the Warbirds did not squander.
Enderson Mercado (W, 1-2) was outstanding in relief, keeping Delmarva’s bats quiet, and Jose Meneses (S, 3) recorded the final two outs thanks to Ebel turning a 6-3 double play on a ball hit back up the middle.
Wilson and Delmarva square off for game four tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Jarrette Bonet (1-2, 5.20) will take the mound for Wilson, and Delmarva will throw Brayan Orrantia (0-3, 5.34). Tickets for tomorrow’s game are available at WilsonWarbirds.com. There will be another fireworks show at the conclusion of the contest.