Sports Writer

WHEELING — Regaining momentum is not the easiest thing to do in baseball.

It takes a full team effort and a spark to make it happen.

A plethora of players provided that spark for Wheeling Park on Thursday as they overcame a five-run fifth inning by University and walked away from Patriot Field with an 11-7 victory.

“This was a good ballgame against a good ballclub,” Park coach Steven Myers said. “We kept battling and we stayed fundamental. It was a good team win.”

After the Hawks evened the score at 6-6 in the top of the fifth, Luke Marsh doubled in the bottom of the frame and Gian Degenova followed with a RBI double to put the Patriots back in front.

Degenova raced home on an error for an 8-6 advantage.

Wenkai Campbell cut the deficit to 8-6 in the top of the sixth with a RBI knock but Park relief pitcher Nick Tsoras got out of a bases-loaded jam to end the threat and keep the lead intact.

“It’s the next guy up mentality,” Myers said. “Nick did a really good job of coming in there at the end. He did exactly what was asked of him. He was playing his role. We’ve seen a lot of guys pitch in practice and we believe in him. He got his opportunity and he made the most of it.”

Tsoras’ performance was a huge spark for the Patriots, who plated three runs in the sixth on a RBI walk from Quinn Jamison and a University error that allowed two more runs to cross the dish.

Tsoras held on for the save in the seventh with a strikeout.

“Our guys just kept their good approach at the plate,” Myers said. “Michael (Bittinger) hit the ball hard and we were able to just move guys around. A lot of guys stepped up.”

Grant Simons got the scoring started in the second with a two-run knock to give Park a 2-0 edge.

The Patriots doubled the lead in the third as Bittinger delivered a RBI triple and Marsh grounded out to bring in the fourth run of the contest.

After the Hawks brought in one in the fourth, Bittinger blistered a hard-hit ball that was mishandled and two more runs raced home to give Park a 6-1 upper hand after four.

That set the stage for University’s five-run fifth before the Patriots regrouped and rattled off their third straight win to start the campaign.

Daniel Crumm earned the win with a strikeout and a walk after Ryan Yates ate up 4.1 innings with a pair of punch outs and a trio of free passes.

Bittinger finished with a single, double and a triple, while Jarod Marsh, Degenova and Jamison each tallied two hits.