WINONA, MN – After suffering a pair of Friday losses, the Wayne State College baseball team looked to build momentum into the postseason.
Back at Loughery Field in Winona, Minnesota, WSC competed in game number 47 and their 37th conference game.
The visiting Wildcats scored over half of their runs in the final two innings to win 16-8 and snap a five-game losing streak improving to 26-21 (21-16 NSIC) while Winona State University fell to 21-28 (18-21 NSIC).
Winona State took the early 3-1 lead after the first inning followed by a run in the top of the second for WSC. The Wildcats then took the 5-3 lead thanks to a three-run fourth inning to only be answered by a three-run fifth inning by WSU. Both teams scored a run in the sixth which saw Winona State holding to a 7-6 lead. Wayne State College scored a run in the seventh, three more in the eighth and outscored the Warriors, 6-1 in the ninth inning. Final favored the visiting Wildcats winning 16-8 and winning the hit department, 17-12.
Nick Barnett recorded a three-run homerun; Nate Cunningham singled three times, drove in a run and scored twice; Colin Lynam singled, doubled, drove in two runs and scored; Max Heard singled, doubled and scored three runs as Trey Wells singled and doubled for WSC.
Others with multiple hits included Chase Douglas singled twice, drove in two runs and scored four times; Quinn McCafferty singled twice, drove in three runs and scored twice as Kyler Essink singled twice and drove in two runs.
Cade Lynam also singled, drove in a run and scored three times.
The third pitcher on the day, Kadyn Van Hill (1-1) picked up the win in two innings allowing one hit while striking out three batters and hitting one. Braden Cannon closed out the final inning allowing an earned run off one hit while striking out and walking one batter each.
Kyler Hanson worked the opening four and two-thirds allowing six earned runs off seven hits while striking out and walking four batters each. Brody Sintek worked the next inning and a third allowing an earned run off three hits while striking out two batters and hitting one.
The Wayne State College baseball team has earned the #5 seed in the 2024 NSIC Baseball Tournament lasting from Wednesday, May 8 – Saturday, May 11 in Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota.
WSC will open against #4 St. Cloud State (32-17/28-11 NSIC) at noon from Municipal Ballpark at the Dakota Community Bank and Trust Field in Bismarck, North Dakota on Wednesday.
Earlier this season, WSC suffered a 2-1 series loss vs. St. Cloud State on April 20 – 21. WSC won 4-0 followed by losses of 7-4 and 9-4.
The winner/loser will see either #1 Augustana (41-8/32-6 NSIC) or #8 Concordia-St. Paul (27-20/19-19 NSIC) at noon or 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The other half of the bracket will feature #2 Minnesota State-Mankato (34-16/29-10 NSIC) vs. #7 University (23-25/19-19 NSIC) and #3 Minnesota Crookston (34-14/28-10 NSIC) vs. #6 Southwest Minnesota State (26-22/20-19 NSIC).
