PHOTO GALLEY: ACIT rallies late to edge Wildwood

WILDWOOD — The Wildwood High School baseball team made some sparkling defensive plays early in its game against Atlantic County Institute of Technology Friday afternoon.

But some miscues late in the game cost the Warriors a chance at victory.

ACIT overcame Wildwood’s 1-0 lead established in the second inning by scoring twice in the sixth inning and once more in the seventh to post a 3-1 win over the Warriors.

The Redhawks received a wonderful pitching performance from sophomore Logan Ruga, who scattered four hits while striking out 11 against just one walk. Ruga mostly used a low to mid 80s fastball but also dropped in a few solid off-speed pitches to prevent the Warriors from mounting many rallies, particularly late in the game. Ruga allowed just one baserunner, on his only walk, over the game’s final three innings.

Dom Troiano was solid on the mound as well for Wildwood (2-2), allowing only two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings. He got help from a Warrior defense that ended two separate ACIT threats with inning-ending double plays.

Novian Craig’s RBI single scored Ryan Troiano for Wildwood’s lone run in the second inning. The Warriors left four runners on base over the first two innings and then had trouble mounting much more offense as Ruga appeared to get stronger as the game went along.

ACIT is coached by former Middle Township High School standout Erich Wolf.