MARION, Ind. -- Indiana Wesleyan University baseball went toe-to-toe tonight with No. 20-ranked Taylor (Ind.) University in a doubleheader at Wildcat Field.
Taylor (25-11, 18-2 MCC) would escape with the doubleheader sweep and the season sweep by winning both games in the seventh inning. TU won the opener 7-2 with a five run seventh inning and then captured the sweep with a run in the last inning to escape with a 4-3 victory.
In both games Indiana Wesleyan had excellent opportunities to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.
In the first game, designated hitter Javier Aponte and leftfielder CJ Sandmann each singled with two outs. But pinch hitter Jordan Baker struck out swinging to end the threat. In game two, Indiana Wesleyan had runners on second and third with one out. Third baseman Preston Fugita struck out looking for out number two. After catcher's interference loaded the bases, Trey Shigley was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a pitch that got away from catcher Rhett Goodmiller. His throw to the pitcher covering home was in time to end the threat.
In the nightcap Indiana Wesleyan would draw another chance to tie or take the lead in the seventh inning, down by one run.
Alex Ridlen hit a one out single and pinch runner Tim Zeigler took second on a wild pitch. Rightfielder Craig Dollens was walked intentionally to put the winning run on base. First baseman Peter Engle hit into a fielder's choice to eliminate Dollens and put runners on the corner with two outs. Javier Aponte hit a sharp groundball down the first base line but Ryne Otis was able to gather it in for the final out of the game.
Shane Bryant went the distance in game two with four runs (three earned) on seven hits. He walked six and struck out four to fall to 2-5 on the season.
Second baseman Jacob Murphy, Alex Ridlen, and Javier Aponte each had two hits in the game as Indiana Wesleyan outhit Taylor 9-7. Aponte finished with a pair of RBI and Peter Engle contributed a double and a run scored.
In the opener, Michael Caley took the loss and is 2-5 on the seaosn. He was able to scatter hits through the first six innings where he gave up just two runs. But the first five Trojans reached base in the seventh inning and all five would score. Caley's line finished with seven runs (four earned) on 11 hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Justin Sovine came in as relief for Caley in the seventh and allowed one hit with two punch-out's in an inning of work.
Jacob Murphy was 2-for-4 with a run and one RBI while centerfielder Quinn Nofziger was 2-for-3. Craig Dollens added a double and one RBI in the game.
Indiana Wesleyan (16-23, 8-12 MCC) will turn right around and play another home doubleheader tomorrow as IWU hosts University of Saint Francis (Ind.) at 4 p.m.
