COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Wayne State University baseball team (18-19-1) played the first of two midweek games today before returning to the GLIAC schedule this weekend at Ohio Dominican (20-15). The Warriors fell 5-4 in 11 innings in the non-conference game. WSU is 2-3-1 in extra inning games this season.
In the top of the first inning, a bases-loaded walk issued to
Cole Clifton (Sterling Heights. Mich. / De La Salle) gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead.
ODU answered in the bottom of the first inning with a two-out RBI double into left center to tie the contest at 1-1. Two more hits in the bottom of the second inning netted the Panthers the go-ahead run. A fielder's choice RBI in the third inning extended the home lead to 3-1.
Devin Rose (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Orchard Lake St. Mary's) doubled down the left field line in the top of the fourth inning and
Dennis Olszewski (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Gabriel Richard) cut the deficit to one with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Starter
Jake Davis (Rochester, Mich. / Stoney Creek) was replaced by
Christian Bilkovic (West Bloomfield, Mich.) in the bottom of the fourth inning. Davis pitched three 2/3 innings and allowed two earned runs while walking three and striking out two.
ODU took advantage of a one-out walk in the bottom of the sixth inning to score a run on an RBI single through the right side, increasing its lead to 4-2.
After a
Bradley Baldwin (Troy, Mich. / Bishop Foley Catholic) leadoff single, a pinch hit RBI triple from
Spencer Church (Windsor, Ont. / Holy Names) and a sacrifice fly by Clifton, the game was tied at 4-4.
After a fielding error by the Warriors, a 5-3 double play swung the momentum back to the Green & Gold.
Jeff Sorenson (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson) (4-4) replaced Bilkovic on the mound to begin the bottom of the eighth inning. The Panthers put two runners on via singles in the frame but Sorenson was once again able to reach the desired outcome, inducing a ground out and a line out to end the threat. Sorenson had not allowed an earned run in his last 17 2/3 innings (nine appearances).
It looked like that streak was going to be snapped in the bottom of the 10th inning as ODU loaded the bases after a triple and two intentional walks. However, a strikeout and a caught stealing at home on the same play ended the rally.
Baldwin advanced to third base in the top of the 11th inning after he walked, a sacrifice bunt and a ground out but WSU was unable to produce a run.
Sorenson finally allowed an earned run in the bottom of the 11th inning as the Panthers won the game on a walk off RBI single down the right field line.
The Warriors will stay in Ohio and travel to Cedarville for a nine inning, non-conference game Wednesday at 4 PM.
