DETROIT -- In the final home game of the 2017 season, the Wayne State University baseball team (30-16) edged Lawrence Tech (13-34) 6-5 at Harwell Field on Wednesday. The Warriors used a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to take win the midweek non-conference tilt.
It was announced earlier in the day that the Warriors stayed put as the second seed in the
Midwest Regional Rankings, which determines who advances to the NCAA Tournament. The top eight teams from reach region will advance to the NCAA Tournament. Northwood is currently the top team in the region, while this weekend's opponent Walsh is eighth.
In addition, the Warriors have now won 30 or more games on nine occasions, including six times under head coach
Ryan Kelley. WSU has it sights set on its seventh trip to the NCAA postseason in program history.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A sacrifice fly from
Justin Sherman (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Pioneer) in the bottom of the second inning put the Green & Gold on top 1-0. However, the Blue Devils answered with three runs on three hits in the top of the third inning.
- After two walks in the bottom of the fourth inning a double steal led to a throwing error by the LTU catcher, which produced WSU's second run of the day. In the bottom of the sixth inning,
Jeremy Carrell (St. Clair, Mich.) smacked a two-run single through the right side to give the Warriors a 4-3 lead. A passed ball plated the third run of the inning and gave WSU a 5-3 advantage.
- The pesky LTU squad would not go away and tied the game at 5-5 with two runs in the top of the seventh inning.
JT Conti (Trenton, Mich.) doubled down the right field line with two away in the top of the ninth inning and
Cole Clifton (Sterling Heights. Mich. / De La Salle) raced around the bases and slid into home just ahead of the throw to give Wayne State a 6-5 lead.
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Tyler Tompson (Farmington, Mich.) was summoned from the bullpen and set down LTU in order in the ninth inning to record his ninth save of the season.
ON THE MOUND
- Six pitchers saw action for WSU on Wednesday. Conti allowed three earned runs on two and 1/3 innings before
Hunter Brown (St. Clair, Mich. / Lakeview) pitched the next inning and 2/3.
Nolan Dill (Bowling Green, Ohio) was effective in his two innings of work and did not allow a run.
Addison Pawelek (Shelby Twp., Mich. / De La Salle) allowed two unearned runs in his 2/3 of an inning before
Tyler Waldrop (Grand Ledge, Mich. / Grand Ledge) (3-3) tossed a perfect inning and a 1/3 to collect the victory. Tompson did not allow a base runner in his frame.
UP NEXT
- Wayne State concludes the regular season with a four-game series at Walsh over the weekend before beginning GLIAC Tournament play in Xenia, Ohio on May 11.
