Kramer Completes Cycle in Dramatic Fashion

WASHINGTON, Pa. – Junior first baseman Ryan Kramer clubbed his second game-tying or go-ahead ninth-inning grand slam on Friday to complete the cycle, but Keystone College's Hunter Rauch spoiled the milestone with a walk-off solo homer in the Giants' 12-11 win over the Fighting Scots at Ross Memorial Park.

Wooster (1-5) entered the ninth inning down 11-6 and loaded the bases on a Keystone (2-0) error, a single up the middle by junior catcher Nathaniel Huxtable, and a walk issued to sophomore pinch hitter Tamlin Ferguson. First-year pinch hitter David Guldin drew a walk, forcing in sophomore left fielder Andrew Kerr. Two batters later, Kramer got ahold of a Noah Parks offering and drilled the game-tying grand slam to left center.

Wooster sophomore right-hander Constantine Vernadakis (0-1) struck out Dante Ruby to start the bottom of the ninth inning before Rauch drilled the walk-off shot to right center.

Earlier in the game, Wooster scored four times in the third inning to get within 7-4. Senior designated hitter Nick Pett walked to lead off the frame and moved up to third base when Kramer went opposite field for a double. The duo scored on sophomore third baseman Zack Barienbrock's double to left center. For the fourth run, Kerr and Huxtable clubbed back-to-back doubles, with Kerr touching home.

Keystone answered right back with a three-spot during its trip to the dish. Chase Boyle's RBI single knocked in Ian Scalabrini, who led off the inning with a triple. A two-run Rauch single accounted for the Giants opening a 10-4 lead.

The score remained 10-4 until Wooster scored twice in the seventh. Wooster loaded the bases on a Kramer single, Barienbrock single, and Luke Rizzo hit by pitch. Kerr drew a bases-loaded walk, as did Huxtable. Wooster could not keep the rally going, as Leam Powell retired senior pinch hitter Alex Gerdenich and senior center fielder Bryn Langley.

Kramer went 4-for-6 with four RBI and three runs scored. He doubled in the third, tripled in the fourth, singled in the seventh, and homered in the ninth for the program's first cycle since All-American Frank Vance's against Wabash College in 2015. Kramer previously hit a go-ahead ninth-inning grand slam in 2024's 9-8 win over Spalding University.

First-year Dame Frayne gave the Scots five innings of two-hit shutout relief. The right-hander struck out six and set down the first eight batters he faced. Elsewhere, Huxtable finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and a walk, while Barienbrock went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Rauch went 3-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored. He had two of Keystone's six stolen bases. Anthoy Mierez (1-0) took the win, retiring the lone batter he faced in the ninth.

Changes to the weather forecast caused several last-minute adjustments to the weekend schedule. Wooster's game against Keystone is the lone game the Scots will play this weekend. Next, Wooster is scheduled to host State University of New York Brockport (3-0) in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 8 at Art Murray Field.