MARION, Ind. – The nationally-ranked and top-seeded Indiana Wesleyan baseball team posted a 4-2 win over Mount Vernon Nazarene Wednesday in the Crossroads League Championship Game.


GAME VITALS
CROSSROADS LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

• Indiana Wesleyan 4, Mount Vernon Nazarene 2
• RECORDS: Indiana Wesleyan 43-12; Mount Vernon Nazarene 32-19

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• IWU jumped on top with a run in the first. After MVNU tied the game in the bottom of the frame, the score remained 1-1 until the Wildcats added a run in the seventh and two in the eighth. The Cougars plated a run in the bottom of the eighth, but it was not enough as IWU claimed the conference title.
• The Wildcats batted first and Tye Thixton reached on a walk and swiped second. Two batters later, Tanner Killian's base knock drove him home for the 1-0 lead.
• Tied at 1-1 in the seventh, IWU's first two batters struck out. However, Luke Roman singled to left center field and swiped second. Thixton's hit to the gap in right center field allowed Roman to score a run while making it 2-1.
• Colby Jenkins led off the eighth with a hit to shallow left field. With one away, he stole second base. Two batters later, MJ Stavola singled Jenkins home. After Stavola stole second, Coy's base hit drove him home for a 4-1 lead.
• The Cougars scored a run in the eighth but could get no closer. In the ninth, IWU forced three straight ground ball outs to clinch the title. 
• Jake Engelkes got the start and worked five strong innings. He gave up one run (unearned) on two hits in the win. Braedon Norman threw four frames, giving up an unearned run and two hits. The duo combined to have seven strikeouts against just one walk.
• For the game, Coy and Thixton had two hits apiece. IWU did not have an extra-base hit in the contest. 
• It marked the first tournament title since a 2016 co-championship with Taylor.

NEXT TIME OUT

• The Wildcats return to action Monday, May 17 in the NAIA Opening Round.  
• IWU is hosting the NAIA Opening Round and will know their opponent tomorrow at 5 p.m. EST.

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