DETROIT -- The Wayne State University baseball team (22-16 overall) played its final non-conference game of the season on Tuesday afternoon against former GLIAC foe Hillsdale (18-23 overall) and the Warriors used 11 hits and three home runs to overpower the Chargers 10-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Hillsdale used a two-run home run from Steven Ring in the top of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. A lead off home run over the "green monster" in left field from
Justin Kelly (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton Warrenville South) in the bottom of the second inning put WSU on the board. A fielding error by HC's shortstop allowed a run to score and tie the game at 2-2 before
Michael MacLean (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Country Day) doubled down the third-base line to give WSU a 3-2 advantage after two innings of play.
- A wild pitch allowed the Chargers to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning. However, Kelly was able to throw a runner out at third to end the inning and limit the damage.
Tristen Jorah (Clinton Twp., Mich. / Sterling Heights Stevenson) broke the tie with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning and a sacrifice fly from
Zach Girard (Sleepy Hollow, Ill. / Dundee Crown) extended WSU's lead to 5-3.
- The Green & Gold loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth inning for
JT Conti (Trenton, Mich.) and he cleared the bases with a grand slam to right center. The next batter was Kelly and he sent his second home run of the day over the wall in right field, giving WSU a 10-3 lead.
AT THE PLATE
- Conti drove in four runs, while Kelly went 2-for-5 with two RBI.
Patrick Adams (Detroit, Mich. / De La Salle) and MacLean also turned in two-hit performances.
ON THE MOUND
-
Richard Hovde (Saline, Mich.) allowed two earned runs in five innings and struck out four batters before
Dillon McInerney (Richmond, Mich.) worked 2/3 of an inning, while not allowing a base runner but issuing two wild pitches.
Brennan Cox (Taylor, Mich. / Riverview Gabriel Richard) (1-0) was sharp in his two and a 1/3 innings of work. He did not allow a run and struck out three batters.
Tyler Waldrop (Grand Ledge, Mich.) did not allow a run in his inning of work.
UP NEXT
- Wayne State will play a four-game series at first-place Northwood beginning on Friday.