MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Indiana Wesleyan University baseball traveled to Mishawaka, Indiana on Thursday and captured a split in a Mid-Central College Conference doubleheader at Bethel (Ind.) College.
The Wildcats (12-18, 4-4 MCC) dominated game one with an 8-1 victory but could not take the doubleheader sweep as IWU lost game two 15-9.
Starting pitcher Tim Zeigler was the star of game one as he pitched a three hit complete game. He allowed one run and struck out four Pilots to improve to 4-3 on the season.
With a 2-1 lead after three innings, Indiana Wesleyan scored once in the fourth and pulled away with a four run fifth inning to lead 7-1. IWU outhit Bethel 10-3 and the Pilots committed six errors.
Designated hitter Peter Engle went 3-for-4 at the plate with a 3-run home run. Leftfielder Craig Dollens added a 2-for-4 performance with two runs and one RBI while rightfielder Derek Freds finished with a double, one run scored, two RBIs and a steal.
Bethel (13-9, 5-3 MCC) jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead after one inning in the second game. With BC leading 7-3 after the third, Indiana Wesleyan took an 8-7 advantage with a five run fifth inning. That lead was short lived as Bethel answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning for an 11-8 lead and took full control of the game with another four run inning in the sixth to lead 15-8.
Cody Jones was credited with the loss for Indiana Wesleyan in relief. He surrendered seven runs - three earned - in 1.1 innings of work. Sam Lewis was the starter and he lasted four innings. Lewis allowed seven runs - six earned - on seven hits.
Indiana Wesleyan outhit Bethel 12-11 but BC earned 10 walks to five for IWU.
Centerfielder CJ Sandmann was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base. Catcher Phillip Lougheed had a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a double, run and two RBIs while first baseman Jordan Baker added two hits with a double, a run and one RBI.
Indiana Wesleyan and Bethel will renew acquaintances on Saturday with another doubleheader. It will be played at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 2 at Wildcat Field.
Click for box scores: Game 1 | Game 2
