NORTH CANTON, Ohio -- The Wayne State University baseball program (6-8, 0-2 GLIAC) opened conference play on Saturday at Walsh (9-4, 2-0 GLIAC). The Warriors dropped game one 6-5 in eight innings and fell in game two 6-2. A new GLIAC rule states that if the first game of the four-game series goes extra innings then game two of the doubleheader will be a scheduled seven innings.

Wayne State is 2-2 this season in extra inning contests.

Game One (L, 5-6 / Eight Innings)
The Cavaliers scored three runs on three hits and two WSU errors to take a 3-0 lead off starter Kyle Zimmerman (Frankfort, Mich.) (1-2) in the bottom of the first inning. The senior left-hander struck out three straight batters to limit the damage and end the frame.

WSU answered with two runs in the top of second inning on RBI singles from Sean Winkelseth (Ypsilanti, Mich.) and Aaron Loconsole (Macomb, Mich. / Marine City) to trim deficit to 3-2. The Warriors were unable to capitalize for the big inning and left the bases loaded.

Zimmerman singled to begin the third inning and advanced to second on a mishandle by the center fielder. He later scored on a fielder's choice RBI off the bat of Daniel Peake (Mississauga, Ont. / Lorne Park) to tie the game at 3-3.

In the bottom of the third inning, Johnny Knight IV sent a two-run home run over the wall in left field to put Walsh back on top, 5-3.

Bradley Baldwin (Troy, Mich. / Bishop Foley Catholic) singled to start the fifth inning and Ryan Mergener (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Portage Central) tied the game at 5-5 with his first collegiate home run to left field. WSU threatened in the top of the seventh inning but the Warriors were unable to plate the go-ahead run.

Zimmerman tossed a scoreless inning in the bottom of the seventh inning to force extra innings. A WSU error allowed the Cavaliers to put the game-winning run on first base to begin the bottom of the eighth inning. After a sacrifice bunt and a single - Jason McPeek won the game for Walsh with an RBI single.

Zimmerman struck out nine over 7 1/3 innings and allowed three earned runs while walking two.

Game Two (L, 2-6)
Walsh scored first on an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning. An RBI double on the next at-bat gave the Cavs a 2-0 advantage. The home team extended its lead to 4-0 on a two-run single into center field in the bottom of the second inning.

Cole Clifton (Sterling Heights. Mich. / De La Salle) doubled to right field in the top of the third inning, advanced to third on a Walsh error and eventually scored on a wild pitch to cut WU's lead to 4-1.

Zimmerman pulled WSU within two on a fielder's choice RBI in the top of the fifth inning.

The Cavaliers added two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run double to left field to extend their lead to 6-2. In the process, Walsh knocked starter Alex Kinch (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Pioneer) (2-1) out of the game as Christian Bilkovic (West Bloomfield, Mich.) recorded the final out of the inning.

WSU went down in order in the top of the seventh inning as Walsh swept the doubleheader.

Kinch pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed three earned runs while striking out five.

The series concludes on Sunday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 PM. Game two is schedule for nine innings.