MARION, Ind. -- The tying run was left on second base for the Indiana Wesleyan University baseball team in a 3-2 loss to Huntington (Ind.) University in the Mid-Central College Conference Tournament championship at Wildcat Field.

Huntington receives the MCC automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship with the victory. The conference championship appearance for IWU is the first in program history.

In the bottom of the ninth catcher Alex Ridlen looped a single to right field to open the inning. Courtesy runner Peter Engle stole second base with one out to put the tying run in scoring position. But shortstop Ben Zachary flied out to right and first baseman Kyle Beachy grounded out to second base to end the game.

Indiana Wesleyan had fought back from a 3-0 deficit after Huntington scored one run in the fourth and two more in the sixth.

The Wildcats quickly cut the deficit back to one run with a two run sixth inning. Designated hitter TJ Fletcher and centerfielder Quinn Nofziger hit back-to-back singles with one out. Rightfielder Derek Freds doubled to deep left center field with two outs to bring the Wildcats into striking distance at 3-2.

Starting pitcher Ryne Brown threw very well for Indiana Wesleyan. Brown allowed three runs - two earned - in 8-1/3 innings pitched. He was pulled in the top of the ninth with one out and a runner at second base. Jeremy Worrell came in to pitch and induced a groundball out to third and a strike out to keep Indiana Wesleyan within one.

Nofziger ended the game with two of the six Wildcat hits. The freshman now has 77 hits on the season which is a new program record for hits in a single season.

Indiana Wesleyan will next play in the NCCAA Midwest Regional Championship on Friday and Saturday. The regional will be played at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana.

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