INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Box 1, Box 2) -- Indiana Wesleyan University and Marian (Ind.) College will play one final game on Tuesday to determine which team will advance to the six team, double elimination Mid-Central College Conference Baseball Tournament.
The two teams were forced to play in the MCC Tournament Play-In Series which one team will advance by winning the best-of-three format.
Indiana Wesleyan struck the first blow in game one, trouncing host Marian 26-7. Marian was able to right the ship in game two and win in comeback fashion 8-4.
The Wildcats scored early and scored often in the opening game to annihilate the Knights 26-7. The nine inning game lasted seven innings due to mercy rules.
Indiana Wesleyan scored four in the top of the first and never looked back. IWU took a commanding 10-0 lead after the top of the fifth, but Marian cut the deficit in half with a five spot in the bottom of the inning.
The Wildcats responded in a big way in their next at bat, to the tune of a 14 run sixth inning to open up a 24-5 lead. IWU out-hit Marian 21-4 in the game.
Josh Worrell was the winning pitcher for the Wildcats. He allowed five unearned runs in 5-2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.
Indiana Wesleyan raked all day with 21 hits and 13 bases on balls. A total of 11 different Wildcats got a hit.
Right fielder Derek Freds paced the bats with a grand slam and seven RBI. Catcher Alex Ridlen was a perfect 5-for-5 at the dish with a double and three RBI. First baseman Kyle Beach ended 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI.
Second baseman Ben Zachary, centerfielder Kory Hollensteiner and designated hitter James Allen all knocked out multiple base hits. Allen entered the game as a pinch hitter and scored three times as well as chasing home three runs.
In the second game, Indiana Wesleyan led 4-1 after their at bat in the top of the fourth inning. Marian tied the score at 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth and scored the final four runs in the fifth to force game three.
Zachary finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and a stolen base to highlight the game for Indiana Wesleyan. Left fielder TJ Fletcher walked twice and scored a pair of runs.
The decisive game three will be played in Indianapolis at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. The winner will advance to the MCC Tournament at the final site on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University. Games will be played May 2-6.
