LIVONIA, Mich. -- Indiana Wesleyan University baseball had highly ranked Madonna (Mich.) University on the ropes in the first game of a doubleheader before a three-run walk-off home run allowed host Madonna to escape with the 4-3 victory.
The No. 15-ranked Crusaders completed the doubleheader sweep with a 9-1 victory in game two in Livonia, Michigan.
IWU junior starting pitcher Jeremy Worrell was stellar for the Wildcats in the first six innings in game one as he had not allowed a run. IWU was also scoreless until a three run sixth inning and an insurance run in the top of the seventh gave Indiana Wesleyan a 3-0 lead with three outs to get.
The first two Madonna batters reached base in the bottom of the seventh which ended the spectacular day for Worrell. Sophomore Ryne Brown entered in relief for Indiana Wesleyan.
The first batter that Brown faced hit a RBI single to score one run as IWU still led 3-1. Brown retired the next batter but shortstop Mike Gansser connected on a three-run home run to spell the Wildcat upset attempt.
Worrell finished with a no decision as he allowed two runs on six hits in six innings of work. He did not walk a batter and had six punch outs.
Leadoff hitter and senior leftfielder TJ Fletcher reached base twice on a pair of walks. He would steal two bases and score one run. Sophomore catcher Alex Ridlen and senior shortstop Ben Zachary each had one RBI.
Madonna (18-3) completed the sweep in a 9-1 ballgame behind five run third inning and a four run fifth inning.
Freshman starting pitcher Michael Caley was give with the loss as he gave up five runs - with only one earned - on five hits in 2-2/3 innings pitched.
Indiana Wesleyan (10-18) could only muster two hits in the game, one by Fletcher and one by sophomore third baseman Brice Davis. Sophomore centerfielder CJ Sandmann stole a base and scored the only IWU run.
Indiana Wesleyan will return to Wildcat Field for their next doubleheader. Those games will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 1 as IWU hosts Mid-Central College Conference foe Marian (Ind.) University.
Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2
