A pitcher-to-catcher out at the plate isn't common in baseball, but it's not really that rare, either.

Then there's the 1-2 putout that the UNCW baseball team pulled off Sunday afternoon against nationally ranked Northeastern at Brooks Field.

The moment was so wild that it was named the top play of the day in sports around the country by ESPN's 'SportsCenter.'

With a runner on third base, a ball is hit back up the middle by Northeastern's Luke Beckstein in the top of fifth. UNCW pitcher Ethan Chenault's follow-through leaves him with his back to home plate, and he throws out his left-arm to try and knock the ball down.

Instead, he bats it back toward home plate. UNCW catcher Bryan Arendt takes a few steps toward the infield grass, then dives back toward the plate, where the Huskies' Spenser Smith is trying to score.

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Smith attempts to hurdle Arendt, but the Seahawks' catcher thrusts his glove into the air and tags Smith on the leg for the improbable out.

The play preserved a two-run lead for UNCW, which on to win 4-2 and take the series from the Huskies. It was a showdown of the top two teams in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Seahawks now lead the conference standings by a half-game and qualified for the CAA Tournament later this month. UNCW has now qualified for the conference tournament all 37 years it's been played.

UNCW (27-27, 16-6 CAA) next plays at Campbell. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in Buies Creek.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: UNCW baseball defensive gem becomes ESPN 'SportsCenter' No. 1 play