EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- In search of its first win of the season, the Wayne State University baseball team (1-4) met 20th-ranked Trevecca Nazarene (6-5) for the second straight weekend and Southern Indiana (5-3), who is hosting the three-team series. The Warriors used a four-run seventh inning to top TNU 6-2 in game one and scored first against USI in game two but the Eagles used a four-run seventh inning to secure the 7-2 win on their home turf.
GAME ONE vs. TREVECCA NAZARENE (W, 6-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED-
Jeremy Carrell (St. Clair, Mich.) led off the bottom of the first inning with a single through the left side and
Brad Baldwin (Troy, Mich. / Bishop Foley Catholic) continued his doubles barrage with an RBI two-bagger to center field, putting WSU on the board. The Trojans responded in the top of the third inning with a two-out rally, which produced a run on an RBI single.
Jared Tobey (St. Clair, Mich.) was able to strand a runner at second to keep the game tied at 1-1.
- Tobey retired TNU in order in the the top of the fourth inning.
Justin Kelly (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton Warrenville South) and
JT Conti (Trenton, Mich.) began the bottom of the frame with back-to-back singles. After a line-drive snared by the Trojans' second baseman led to a double play,
Devin Rose (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Orchard Lake St. Mary's) doubled to left, giving WSU a 2-1 advantage. Once again, the Trojans answered with an RBI single following a walk and a double in the top of the fifth inning, tying the game at 2-2.
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Tyler Waldrop (Grand Ledge, Mich.) (1-0) replaced Tobey to begin the top of the seventh inning and struck out the side on 12 pitches. Wayne State threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning with back-to-back bunt singles from Rose and
Dennis Olszewski (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Gabriel Richard).
Sean Winkelseth (Ypsilanti, Mich.) gave WSU the lead for good with an RBI single up the middle. Carrell kept the rally going with a double down the left field line to plate one and Baldwin followed with a two-run single into left center, extending the lead to 6-2. Waldrop notched another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the eighth inning, which included another punchout. Waldrop danced around two, two-out singles to secure his first collegiate victory and give the Warriors their first win of the season. The game ended as a runner tried to advance to third but was thrown out.
LEADING THE WARRIORS- Carrell, Baldwin, Conti and Rose all posted multiple-hit games. Baldwin drove in a game-high three runs.
ON THE MOUND- Tobey started and allowed two earned runs in six innings, while walking one and striking out four batters. Waldrop pitched the three final innings and struck out four while allowing two hits.
GAME TWO at SOUTHERN INDIANA (L, 2-7)
HOW IT HAPPENED- With one out in the top of the first inning, Baldwin singled to right field and
Griffin Harms (Bingham Farms, Mich. / Birmingham Groves) gave the Green & Gold a 1-0 lead with a double into left field. An error by the USI left fielder allowed Baldwin to score. Southern Indiana scored in four consecutive innings beginning with the bottom of the fourth inning and ending with a four-run bottom of the seventh inning.
- WSU added a run in the top of the eighth inning to trim the deficit to five but that would be as close as the visitors would get. After a dropped foul ball error and a ground out, Harms singled to left field before Conti smacked a double down the right field line to produce the run. The Warriors put two runners on in the ninth but were left stranded.
LEADING THE WARRIORS- Harms went 3-for-4, while
Aaron Loconsole (Macomb, Mich. / Marine City) finished with a 2-for-3 performance.
ON THE MOUND- WSU used three pitchers beginning with starter
Chris Horvath (Lakeshore, Ont.) (0-2) who lasted six innings and allowed three earned runs on seven hits while striking out five.
Taylor Horn (Leo, Ind.) tossed a third of an inning and
Addison Pawelek (Shelby Twp., Mich. / De La Salle) finished the game, striking out two over an inning and 2/3.
UP NEXT- The Warriors will make their annual spring break trip to Florida for the RussMatt Invitational beginning with a doubleheader against Minnesota Duluth on March 11. WSU will play eight games on the trip.
