MT. PLEASANT, S.C. -- The Wayne State University baseball program (4-2 overall) wrapped up its four-game series against Kentucky Wesleyan (2-5 overall) on Sunday afternoon. The Warriors won 6-3 after trailing 3-2 through six innings. The series was played at Shipyard Park in South Carolina.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warriors threatened in the bottom of the second inning with singles from redshirt sophomore
Chris Tanderys (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson) and sophomore
Rudy Ramirez (Brighton, Mich.) but were unable to produce any further offense. Wayne State danced around a fielding error, a stolen base and a wild pitch in the top of the third inning to keep the game scoreless.
The Panthers loaded the bases in the top of the fourth inning but WSU escaped once again without allowing any damage. Following a walk to junior
Jacob Finkbeiner (Saline, Mich.) and a double by redshirt sophomore
Hunter DeLanoy (Hartland, Mich.), Tanderys singled to center, giving the Green & Gold a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Three walks and a single in the top of the fifth inning led to KWC's first run of the day.
Three walks loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning and a two-run single gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead. WSU tied the game at 3-3 as DeLanoy scored on a wild pitch after he singled, stole second base and advanced to third on a Ramirez single.
Wayne State used two hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a 6-3 lead. Junior
Michael MacLean (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Country Day / The Lawrenceville School) drove in the frame's first run with a sacrifice fly before Ramirez plated a pair of runs with a triple to right center.
AT THE PLATE
Ramirez drove in two runs on three hits, while Tanderys also was responsible for two RBI with two hits. DeLanoy scored three runs, stole a base and collected two hits.
ON THE MOUND
Junior
Nick O'Dea (Livonia, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) made his first start of the season and allowed a run over four and 2/3 innings, while striking out seven batters.
Senior
Matt Krutsch (Essex, Ont. / Essex District) was replaced by freshman
Karter Fitzpatrick (Monroe, Mich. / Carleton Airport) after walking both of the batters he faced. In his debut, Fitzpatrick allowed two runs in an inning and a 1/3 with one strikeout and four walks.
Senior
Josh Nelson (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Saline) (1-0) made his season debut and was sharp, not allowing a run in two innings before redshirt junior
Jack Schmidt (Fishers, Ind. / Indianapolis Cathedral) earned the save by tossing a scoreless ninth inning.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will return to Epling Stadium in Beckley, W.V. for a three-game series against Ohio Valley. Game one is scheduled for Feb. 28th at 2:00 p.m.