RENSSELAER, Ind. --  After a 10-day break following its annual Spring Break trip to Florida, the Wayne State University baseball team (12-7) returned to action at 18th-ranked St. Joseph's (16-6) on Wednesday afternoon.  The Warriors used a four-run first inning and clutch pitching to take game one 4-2 and scored four late runs to comeback and win game two, 7-6.

GAME ONE (W, 4-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Ryan Mergener (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Portage Central) began the scoring promptly in the top of the first inning with a two-run single.  Following a Justin Kelly (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton Warrenville South) single, a Griffin Harms (Bingham Farms, Mich. / Birmingham Groves) groundout to third base produced the inning's third run.  Sean Winkelseth (Ypsilanti, Mich.) continued the first-inning barrage with an RBI single to give WSU a 4-0 advantage.  All nine hitters in the Warriors' lineup came to the plate during the frame.

- The Pumas added a run in the bottom of the third inning on a bases-loaded walk but starter Addison Pawelek (Shelby Twp., Mich. / De La Salle) (1-2) was able to limit the damage with an inning-ending double play.  Pawelek continued to hold SJC at bay and kept the three-run lead intact through the sixth inning.  Taylor Horn (Leo, Ind.) entered from the bullpen in the bottom of the seventh inning and collected the final three outs, but did allow a run on a sacrifice fly.

AT THE PLATE
- Mergener drove in two runs, going 2-for-4.  Both Kelly and Winkelseth turned in two-hit performances.

ON THE MOUND
- Pawelek danced around six hits and four walks to earn his first victory of the season.  The sophomore allowed an earned run over six innings, while striking out three.  Horn pitched the seventh inning to notch his third save of the season.

GAME TWO (W, 7-6)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Kelly homered to left field in the top of the second inning to put WSU on top 1-0.  Justin Sherman (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Pioneer) added to the lead with a two-run double to left center in the top of the fourth inning.  However, SJC fought back and tied the game at 3-3 on a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.  The Pumas took their first lead of the day in the bottom of the fifth with a run on an RBI single.  Appearing in relief, Josh Nelson (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Saline) escaped further harm and stranded two base runners.

- Following a SJC fielding error and a Sherman single, a bunt single by Jeremy Carrell (St. Clair, Mich.) plated two runs to give the Green & Gold a 5-4 lead in the top of the sixth inning.  Later in the rally, Brad Baldwin (Troy, Mich. / Bishop Foley Catholic) added an insurance run with an RBI double to center field.  An RBI single from Mergener tacked on WSU's seventh run and fourth tally of the inning.

- St. Joseph's scored two runs in its final at-bat, but WSU was able to hold for its fourth straight win.

AT THE PLATE
- Carrell and Sherman both drove in two runs, while Carrell, Mergener and Sherman all posted multi-hit games.

ON THE MOUND
- WSU used five pitchers as the rested bullpen shook off the rust in preparation for the GLIAC schedule.  Nolan Dill (Bowling Green, Ohio) started and did not allow a run in two innings.  Brendan Wetmore (Westland, Mich. / John Glenn) pitched the next two frames and gave up three earned runs before being replaced by Josh Nelson (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Saline) (1-0), who earned his first collegiate victory as he was responsible for the fifth inning.  Tyler Waldrop (Grand Ledge, Mich.) and Tyler Tompson (Farmington, Mich.) combined to work the final two innings as Tompson allowed two runs but was able to secure his third save of the season.

UP NEXT
- Wayne State is scheduled to host Findlay on Saturday as league play resumes.  WSU will look to improve upon its 2-0 GLIAC record with a four-game series against the Oilers.  Sunday's doubleheader will be played at Findlay.