NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Wayne State University baseball team (0-1) began its season with a 10-0 defeat against GLIAC member Walsh (2-3) in a non-conference tilt in Nashville, Tenn. WSU only tallied three base hits while Walsh pounded out 13 hits and score multiple runs in four innings.
HOW IT HAPPENED- The Cavaliers struck first with a two-run triple from Luke Caple off starter
Alex Kinch (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Pioneer) (0-1) in the bottom of the first inning. Kinch was able to rebound and retire the side in order in the bottom of the second. Walsh's starter Seth Robinson (1-1) had the strikeout pitch working early, notching six punch outs in the first three frames and finished with 10 as the Warriors offense searched for their rhythm.
WU's Jason McPeek sent a one-out double down the left field line and advanced to third on a groundout to shortstop. The Cavs' lead grew to 3-0 after an RBI single from Andrew Stalnaker
into left field in the bottom of the third inning. A WSU error extended the inning and allowed Caple to drive in another run with a single into left, giving WU a 4-0 advantage.- Kinch was replaced by
D.J. Zezula (Clarkston, Mich.) in the bottom of the fifth inning after three straight singles, which extended the Cavaliers' lead to 5-0. Walsh added two more runs as Zezula hit back-to-back batters with the bases loaded. Walsh kept the offense rolling with another run on an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning.
-
Addison Pawelek (Shelby Twp., Mich. / De La Salle) replaced Zezula to begin the bottom of the seventh inning. Following a walk, Jerad Kitzler gave WU a 9-0 lead with a triple into right center. Walsh added another run in the inning with a sacrifice fly.
LEADING THE WARRIORS-
Griffin Harms (Bingham Farms, Mich. / Birmingham Groves) and
Devin Rose (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Orchard Lake St. Mary's) both collected doubles, while
Cole Clifton (Sterling Heights. Mich. / De La Salle) was responsible for WSU's third hit.
ON THE MOUND- Kinch was touched up for six earned runs on 11 hits and struck out four batters in 4 1/3 innings.
- Zezula completed 1 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run, walked one and hit two batters.
- Pawelek struck out two hitters in two innings but did allow two earned runs.
NEWCOMERS- Three Warriors made their collegiate debut on Friday.
Justin Kelly (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton Warrenville South) appeared behind the plate, while Zezula and Pawelek appeared on the hill for WSU.
UP NEXT- The Warriors will continue their season-opening series in Nashville on Saturday with two games beginning with a 1 p.m. contest versus Quincy before closing out the weekend against host Trevecca Nazarene at 4 p.m. Both games will be nine innings and start times are eastern.
