ADRIAN, Mich. -- Indiana Wesleyan University and Siena Heights (Mich.) University played to a doubleheader split on Tuesday afternoon in non-conference action in Adrian, Michigan.
Wildcat second baseman Brice Davis jacked the winning 3-run home run in the fifth inning to propel IWU to a 5-4 victory in game two. The Saints won the opener 4-1.
In game two, Siena Heights jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. SHU scored the four runs on five hits.
But Indiana Wesleyan starting pitcher Jonathan Bastian quickly settled down and teamed with the bullpen to keep Siena Heights (4-20) scoreless over the final six innings on just two hits. Cody Jones earned the win in two innings of relief allowing one hit in two innings while Jeremy Worrell pitched the seventh and allowed one walk to collect the save.
Shortstop Josh Ellis worked a bases loaded walk in the second to get Indiana Wesleyan on the scoreboard. IWU cut the lead in half at 4-2 in the fourth inning off a solo home run by leftfielder Craig Dollens.
In the fifth, catcher Alex Ridlen led-off with a bunt single and rightfielder Derek Freds was hit by a pitch to put two on with no outs for Davis. He crushed the 3-run homer to put Indiana Wesleyan in the lead for good at 5-4.
Davis finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs.
The Indiana Wesleyan bats were handcuffed in the first game on Tuesday by Siena Heights' starting pitcher Jacob Kret. He pitched a five-hit complete game with one run and five strikeouts.
Indiana Wesleyan (14-20) did make Siena Heights sweat it out in the seventh, bringing the tying run to the plate. IWU loaded the bases with one out to bring to the plate first baseman Kyle Beachy. He hit a sac fly to center field to score pinch runner Sam Garver. Dollens was up next as the last Wildcat chance, but he grounded out to short to end the game.
Sam Lewis went the distance on the mound for Indiana Wesleyan. Lewis allowed four runs - two earned - on five hits and three walks. He struck out seven in six innings of work.
Designated hitter Quinn Nofziger had two of the five Wildcat hits in game one. Leftfielder Seth White was 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk.
Indiana Wesleyan returns to Mid-Central College Conference play on Thursday, April 7 at Goshen (Ind.) College. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
Click for box scores: Game 1 | Game 2
