FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Wesleyan baseball team plated a run in the 11^th inning for a hard fought 4-3 victory in game one over the University of Saint Francis Saturday afternoon. In the nightcap, the Wildcats posted a 3-1 win.
 

THE ESSENTIALS

 

        • Location: Fort Wayne, Ind.
        • Records: IWU 18-8 (12-4) I USF 17-12 (7-9)
        • Game One Score: IWU def. USF, 4-3 (11 Innings)
        • Game Two Score: IWU def. USF, 5-1
        • NAIA Top-25 Rankings: IWU - RV I USF – Unranked

 

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

• Trailing 1-0 going into the third frame, Luke Roman knotted the game with a two-out solo home run over the left field wall. 
• Down 2-1 in the fifth, Colin Yoder came in as a pinch runner and stole two bases. He scored moments later, tying the score at 2-2. 
• The score remained at 2-2 until the top of the eighth. Carson Gibson Walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch allowed him and D. Pugh to move up 90 feet to second and third, respectively. Quinn Willard's single to right field pushed Gibson across home plate for a one-run lead. 
• The teams remained tied through nine innings, forcing extra frames. In the bottom of the ninth, IWU managed to get out of a jam, forcing the 10^th inning. 
• Nick Wiley reached on an error in the 11^th. After J. Mott came in as a pinch runner, he raced to second on a wild pitch. Mott came around to score after a walk to Caleb Engelsman. That run proved to be the game winner for the Wildcats.  
• For the game, Willard registered three hits and one RBI. Gary Vineyard tallied two hits while Roman hit a round-tripper. 
• Grayson Knight got the start and worked six innings with five strikeouts. Dylan Bryant tallied two strikeouts while Will Eldridge tallied three strikeouts. Gibson Adema came in and worked the last frame for the save. 

 

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

• Down 1-0 in the fifth inning, IWU knotted the score. Pugh reached on a fielder's choice and hustled to second on a wild pitch. He raced around to score when Willard slapped a single to left field for the RBI.
• Tied at 1-1 in the sixth, MJ Stavola registered a one-out single. He was able to take his time rounding the base paths as Engelsman blasted a two-run home run for a 3-1 advantage.
• Evangel had two on base in the sixth, but IWU got out of the jam, keeping the two-run lead heading into the seventh. 
• After the Wildcats scored 2 runs in the top of the 7th inning the game was called due to darkness which reverted the score back to 3-1 for the final.
• Engelsman and Willard had two hits apiece. Engelsman led the way with a home run and two RBI while Pugh scored twice. 
• On the mound, Tate Warner tossed 5.1 innings to get the win. He had four strikeouts. Cam LaFuze worked the final two outs to seal the win. 

  

NEXT TIME OUT

 

• The Wildcats return to action Thursday when they play at Bethel University (Ind.) for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
• Links for tickets, video and stats are available at IWUWildcats.com.

 

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