LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Wayne State University baseball team (7-3) started its Spring Break trip with two games against Augustana (6-3) in the RussMatt Invitational. The Warriors dropped game one 4-2 before winning game two 11-10 in walk-off fashion after being down 7-1. The Vikings were ranked just outside the top 25 in the most recent NCBWA poll.
GAME ONE (L, 2-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Vikings scored first with a run on a hit and walk in the bottom of the second inning. A solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the third inning made it 2-0, Augustana. A leadoff double and an RBI single put the deficit at 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning.
A throwing error in the top of the sixth inning opened the door for the Green & Gold and Ryan Foley (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Saline) followed with an RBI single. A single from Jacob Finkbeiner (Saline, Mich.) and an RBI groundout by Chris Tanderys (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson) brought the Warriors withing one, 3-2 with one inning to play. However, the Vikings connected for their second solo shot of the game to start the bottom of the sixth inning.
Hunter DeLanoy (Hartland, Mich.) sent his third single of the game into left field to begin the seventh inning. He advanced to second base on a passed ball and reached third base on a groundout. However, that would be all of the offense for WSU as Augustana struck out Logan Tobel (Brighton, Mich. / Hartland) to end the game.
AT THE PLATE
DeLanoy led the way, going 3-for-3, while Foley, Finkbeiner and Ryne Travis (Lockport, Ill. / Lockport Twp.) all picked up hits.
ON THE MOUND
Nicholas O'Dea (Livonia, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) (0-1) worked all six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk to go with three strikeouts.
GAME TWO (W, 11-10)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Vikings started fast in game two and led 2-0 after a home run in the top of the first inning. Augustana added two more runs on three hits in the top of the second.
WSU's offense found life in the bottom of the second inning after DeLanoy doubled to left center to start the frame and later scored on double from Finkbeiner. However, the Warriors were bit by the long ball again in the top of the third inning, giving the Vikings a 7-1 advantage.
Noah Miller (Macomb, Mich. / University Liggett) singled before Foley walked to start the bottom of the third inning. A base hit from Tanderys loaded the bases and DeLanoy drove in one with a single up the middle. Nate Roede (Byron Center, Mich.) singled home a run and two more runs crossed on a throwing error. RBI from Finkbeiner and Brett Zimmerman (Frankfort, Mich.) brought WSU within one, 7-6.
Augustana used a walk, a single and a sacrifice fly to extend its lead to 8-6 in the top of the fourth inning. However a double play allowed relief pitcher Brennan Cox (Taylor, Mich. / Riverview Gabriel Richard) to limit the damage.
The comeback continued in the bottom of the fifth inning when WSU scored twice to tie the contest at 8-8. Jacoby Dale (Roseville, Mich.) was plunked with bases loaded before a fielder's choice allowed another run to cross. Three hits, an error and a walk in the top of the sixth allowed the Vikings to plate two runs and take a 10-8 advantage.
After a ground out, the Warriors started to gain momentum in the bottom of the seventh as Roede singled and Finkbeiner walked. After a pinch-hit strikeout, Zimmerman smacked an opposite field three-run home run on the second pitch he saw to end the game.
AT THE PLATE
DeLanoy and Finkbeiner both had two hits, while Finkbeiner drove in two runs. Zimmerman had the three game-winning RBI.
ON THE MOUND
Karter Fitzpatrick (Monroe, Mich. / Carleton Airport) allowed seven runs in three innings on nine hits and struck out four batters. Cox worked two and 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and strikin gout two.
Chad Sommers (Jonesville, Mich.) (1-0) was the stopper for WSU on Friday as he worked an inning and 2/3 of scoreless baseball and set down three Vikings via the K.
UP NEXT
The Warriors will play a doubleheader against Sioux Falls on Saturday in Davenport, Fla. with game one scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
