BRANDON, SD – Saturday’s NSIC doubleheader baseball series began with a pair of one-run games for Wayne State College.
From FNB Field in Brandon, South Dakota, WSC visited Sioux Falls.
USF took the opening games by the scores of 9-8 in 12 innings and 1-0 in seven innings to sit 23-19 (15-12 NSIC) on the season. Wayne State fell to 16-19 (10-11 NSIC).
During the opening game, WSC produced an early run in the first while both teams scored in the third. Wayne State added to their lead with a two-run fourth followed by a USF two-run fifth. The Wildcats posted another two-run sixth to lead 6-3 as the Cougars outscored WSC, 4-1 in the seventh to force extras tied at 7-7. Neither team scored in innings eight through 11 until Sioux Falls outscored Wayne State, 2-1 in the 12th to win 9-8. WSC outhit the Cougars, 15-10 as both teams committed one error.
Colin Lynam singled twice, doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice; Garrett Svoboda singled twice, doubled, drove in a run and scored while Nate Sailors singled and recorded a solo homerun for WSC. Other extra base-hits came from Andrew Hanson with a double, RBI and run scored; Alex Logelin with a double and RBI as Chris Cornish doubled and scored.
Noah Roberts and Travis Bailey both singled and scored as Nick Barnett and Conner Fiene each accounted for a single and RBI.
Ryan Petersen (0-1) suffered the loss in the final inning and a third allowing two earned runs off two hits while walking four batters and hitting one. Andrew Staebell started the opening five innings allowing three runs (one earned) off three hits while striking out 10 batters and walking three. Josh Renken worked an inning and a third allowing four earned runs off four hits while striking out one batter and walking three. Wayne native Jacob Kneifl pitched three and two-thirds of scoreless baseball striking out two batters and walking one.
In the second game of the series, Sioux Falls was the first to score a run in the second which ended up being the only run of the game. Final favored USF, 1-0 as Wayne State won the hit department, 5-4. Neither team committed an error.
Alex Logelin posted the lone extra base-hit of the game being a double for WSC. Noah Roberts, Nick Barnett, Nate Sailors and Conner Fiene all singled.
Keean Allen (3-3) suffered the complete game loss in six innings allowing an earned run off four hits while striking out three batters and hitting one.
Wayne State will visit USF at 1 p.m. on Sunday for a nine-inning game.
