DETROIT -- The Wayne State University baseball team (21-14 overall, 13-10 GLIAC) continued the final series of regular season vs. Northwood (27-12 overall, 18-9 GLIAC) on Saturday and the Warriors snapped a five-game losing streak with a 5-3 victory in game one before NU answered with a 6-5 triumph in game two.
GAME ONE (W, 5-3)
HOW IT HAPPENED
A leadoff solo home run by junior Rudy Ramirez (Brighton, Mich.) in the bottom of the second inning set the tone for the rest of the game. However, the potent Timberwolves' lineup responded with three runs on two hits, a hit-by-pitch and a walk in the top of the third inning.
Redshirt junior Nate Roede (Byron Center, Mich.) doubled to right center in the bottom of the fourth inning and later scored on a ground out by senior Ryne Travis (Lockport, Ill. / Lockport Twp.). Junior Noah Miller (Macomb, Mich. / University Liggett) sent a rocket off the third baseman's glove into left field for another RBI, which tied the game at 3-3.
NU had the bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning after an intentional walk but a 6-4-3 double play helped the Green & Gold escape with the game tied. Senior Jacob Finkbeiner (Saline, Mich.) sent a one-out double into left center in the bottom of the fifth inning and scored on a Roede single. A balk allowed WSU's fifth run of the game to score in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Redshirt senior Jack Schmidt (Fishers, Ind. / Indianapolis Cathedral) (4-2) retired the side in order in the top of the seventh to seal the win.
AT THE PLATE
Roede had two hits and an RBI.
ON THE MOUND
Senior Nicholas O'Dea (Livonia, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) started and allowed three runs in four and 1/3 innings on four hits and three walks, while striking out five. Schmidt earned the win by working two and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. He did not allow a hit, walked one and struck out two.
GAME TWO (L, 5-6)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Northwood blasted a pair of solo home runs in the top of the first inning. Redshirt junior Ryan Foley (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Saline) jump started the offense in the bottom of the first inning. Finkbeiner followed with another single before redshirt junior Hunter DeLanoy (Hartland, Mich.) doubled off the wall in left to get WSU on the board. A sac fly from graduate student Michael MacLean (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Country Day / The Lawrenceville School) tied the game at 2-2 after an inning.
The offense continued in the second as NU took a 3-2 lead on an RBI double aided by a walk and an error. The Warriors used three runs of four hits in the bottom of the second inning to take a 5-3 lead. DeLanoy sent a two-run single into left field before Ramirez finished the scoring with an RBI single through the left side.
A three-run home run from Jacob Rybicki in the top of the fifth inning flipped the momentum and gave NU a 6-5 lead. Wayne State was unable to generate any more offense the rest of the way as Northwood won and kept their hopes of a GLIAC regular season title alive.
AT THE PLATE
DeLanoy finished 3-for-4 with three RBI.
ON THE MOUND
Redshirt freshman Karter Fitzpatrick (Monroe, Mich. / Carleton Airport) suffered the loss, allowing six runs in five and 2/3 innings on seven hits and a walk with four Ks. Redshirt junior Jacob Raymond (Shelby Twp., Mich. / Utica Eisenhower) did not allow a run in an inning and 2/3 before freshman David Thurman (Southfield, Mich. / Detroit Edison) retired the batters he face in the eighth.
Redshirt sophomore Joey Muzljakovich (Mayfield, Mich. / Traverse City St. Francis) struck out two batters in his scoreless inning out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will finish the regular season tomorrow with a nine-inning game at noon. The program will recognize its four graduating players prior to first pitch as part of its Senior Day festivities.
