MARION, Ind. -- Shortstop Josh Ellis capped off a stunning comeback with a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh as Indiana Wesleyan University baseball salvaged a doubleheader spilt with visiting Goshen (Ind.) College on Saturday afternoon.
Ellis' singled capped off a four run seventh inning for Indiana Wesleyan just after Goshen broke open a tie in the top of the inning with three runs. Indiana Wesleyan won game two 7-6 while Goshen came out victorious in the opening game 4-3.
In game two, Goshen broke a 3-3 tie with a three run seventh inning off reliever Ryne Brown. But Indiana Wesleyan responded in the bottom half of the inning to take 3-of-4 from the season series with Goshen.
Rightfielder Craig Dollens doubled home centerfielder Quinn Nofziger with one out in the seventh inning to close within two runs. Catcher Javier Aponte popped out to put Indiana Wesleyan in the hole with two outs and one on still trailing 6-4.
DH Seth White walked and became the tying run. Tim Zeigler entered as a pinch-runner for White and promptly stole second. Third baseman Preston Fugita continues to come up with the clutch hits this season as he doubled to deep leftfield to tie the game 6-6. That led to Josh Ellis' game-winning single which he took down the right field line to score Fugita for the win.
Quinn Nofziger was 3-of-4 from the plate with a double, steal, two RBI, and two runs scored. Second baseman Jacob Murphy, Craig Dollens, Preston Fugita, and Josh Ellis all finished with two hits apiece as Indiana Wesleyan outhit Goshen 13-8.
Chris Tyler was the starter for the Wildcats and he surrendered three runs on four hits in six innings of work. Ryne Brown pitched the seventh where he allowed three runs on four hits.
In game one, Goshen got on the scoreboard first with one first inning run. GC had four hits in the inning off Indiana Wesleyan starting pitcher Michael Caley but he got out of the jam and left the bases loaded.
Indiana Wesleyan (14-17, 6-6 MCC) would claim the lead in the bottom of the first with a pair of runs for a 2-1 advantage. Quinn Nofziger and first baseman Peter Engle both scored when Craig Dollens grounded out to short, but the throw went wide of the bag for an error.
The Maple Leafs (8-19, 1-11 MCC) scored three runs in the third inning to retake the lead at 4-2. The runs came on a wild pitch and a 2-run home run off Caley.
Indiana Wesleyan threatened with a big inning in the fifth. With one on and two out a Goshen error extended the inning. Peter Engle singled down the leftfield line to score a run for a 4-3 game. IWU loaded the bases but designated hitter Javier Aponte flied out to left to end the threat.
In the bottom of the seventh, Quinn Nofziger doubled to deep left-center field with one out to put the tying run in scoring position. But Peter Engle and Craig Dollens followed with fly outs to end the game.
Michael Caley pitched a complete game in taking the loss. He allowed four earned runs on 10 hits with no walks or strikeouts.
Peter Engle was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI while Quinn Nofziger finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases, and a run scored.
Indiana Wesleyan returns to the diamond at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3 as IWU hosts Huntington (Ind.) University at Wildcat Field.
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