North Fort Myers senior Logan Wilsker struck out three batters in the Red Knights’ 5-4 Senior Night win over Gulf Coast Wednesday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page. MICHAEL PISTELLA / mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

The North Fort Myers baseball team rallied from a three-run deficit Wednesday night and defeated Gulf Coast 5-4 on Senior Night with contributions from the squad’s soon-to-be graduates.  

Seniors Luke Mohr and Logan Wilsker combined for four innings of three-run ball on the mound, holding the Sharks (10-10) to just three hits. Junior Dylan Mercer finished the job and was proficient in three innings of relief, allowing just one run and facing just one hitter more than the minimum.  

North (12-12) scored all five of its runs in the second and third innings, with RBI contributions coming from Logan Smith, senior Landon Ford, Gary Kamphouse (2-for-3) and Justin Corbitt – who finished 2-for-3 and blasted a double in the third to tie the game.  

“Good opponent, but I like how we competed,” said Red Knight head coach Mark Rose. “I like how we responded after going down (in the early innings). It was competitive. It felt like a playoff game, and that’s what our guys needed. We’re young, so they needed that experience of a good team coming into the park and battling back and forth. We played well defensively and answered and didn’t back down.” 

Mohr, who has been battling an injury since before the season, made the pitching start for the Red Knights – his first appearance all year.  

North Fort Myers junior Justin Corbitt was 2 for 3 and hit a game-tying double in the third inning of the Red Knights’ 5-4 win over Gulf Coast Wednesday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page. MICHAEL PISTELLA / mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

“I pushed Senior Night all the way back to the last possible home game so he could pitch,” Rose said. “It was just great to see. He’s a 3-year varsity player who has been going through an injury since the summer. He’s been battling and he finally got a chance to throw.” 

Wilsker, a 6-foot-1 lefty who Rose touts as one of the best in the area, worked the second, third and fourth innings for North. He allowed two runs (one earned) via a homer to the third batter he faced (the first reached on an error). He surrendered just one hit after the long ball, striking out three along the way.

Mercer, who has also compiled a solid season, shut the door.  

Rose is feeling confident about the way his lineup is swinging the bat, getting solid contributions from the top of the order to the bottom (the 7, 8 and 9 hitters were on base five times in nine at-bats with one RBI).  

“It’s good to have confidence,” Rose said. “We were good one through nine.” 

Senior catcher Jason Sams got the start behind the dish for the special occasion and showed up in a big way, throwing out two base runners in big spots in the fifth and sixth innings to help preserve the lead. He also led off the third inning with a base hit and came around to score.  

“He’s a great team guy. Great effort guy,” Rose said. “For a kid to not play most of the season and to come in and make an impact – I didn’t know how long he would play – but he came out and didn’t give me a reason to take him out. He helped us win this game. 

“All of our seniors really provided contributions to a really quality win.” 

The Red Knights will finish the regular season on the road Friday night against Naples (15-5).  

They will take on Port Charlotte (8-11) on Tuesday in the opening round of the 5A District 10 tournament as the No. 4 seed.  

— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj