MARION, IND. - Indiana Wesleyan baseball secured an 11-5 victory over IU Kokomo on Thursday at Crandall Field. The Wildcats capitalized on a six-run third inning, contributing significantly to their commanding win.
Grant Payson had a stellar day for the Wildcats, going 4-5 from the plate with 4 RBI, 2 runs scored which included a two run home run in the fourth.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Marion, Ind. | Crandall Family Field
- Records: IWU - 5-6 | IUK - 0-9
- Game Score: IWU def. IUK 11-5
- NAIA Rankings: IWU - NR | IUK - RV
GAME RECAP
- The third inning set the tone for the game, with Greg Vineyard initiating a rally by singling to the pitcher and later scoring on a wild pitch. Errors by the Cougars allowed Trevor Vojtkofsky and others to advance, with Vojtkofsky and Carson Bush each scoring on a single by Grant Payson. The inning concluded with a six-run advantage for IWU, leading 6-1.
- In the fourth inning, IWU extended its lead. Bush singled and advanced on a wild pitch before Payson hit a two-run homer. Matthew Drozlek and Mark Snowden contributed further, with Snowden driving in a run to put the hosts up 9-1.
- IUK narrowed the gap in the sixth inning, scoring three runs, including a two-run homer by M. French. However, the red and grey responded in the bottom half with Drozlek scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jay Tomes, maintaining a 10-5 lead.
- Vojtkofsky added an insurance run in the seventh by hitting a solo home run.
- Cam Lafuze pitched 5 innings, allowing 6 hits and 5 runs while striking out 4 batters. Lafuze earned the win, bringing his record to 1-1. Noah Wathen provided solid relief, pitching 3 innings without allowing a hit and striking out 4, maintaining a WHIP of 0.67. Tarick McGlothin closed out with 1 inning pitched, giving up 1 hit and no runs, contributing to a strong bullpen performance.
KEY WILDCATS
LOOKING AHEAD
- IWU will rematch the Cougars on Saturday at Kkokomo Municipal Stadium at 1:00 PM.
- Links for video, and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.
NEXT HOME GAME
- IWU returns to Crandall Family Field on February 28th, facing Huntington at 1:00 PM
- Links for video, and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.
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