MARION, IND. - Indiana Wesleyan baseball had an impressive day at Crandall Family Field, dominating Saint Francis with a commanding 29–4 victory in game one before securing a 10-7 win in the second game of the doubleheader. The Wildcats showcased their offensive prowess, highlighted by a combined 31 hits and several standout performances. THe 29 runs in game one set a new program record for runs scored in a game.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Westfield, Ind. | Crandall Family Field
- Records: IWU - 12-10, 6-4 | USF - 4-18, 2-8
- Game One Score: IWU def. USF 29-4
- Game Two Score: IWU def. USF 10-7
- NAIA Rankings: IWU - NR | USF - NR
GAME ONE RECAP
- In the first game, Indiana Wesleyan delivered a commanding performance against Saint Francis, winning 29–4. The game began with Saint Francis taking an early lead with Ayden Lichtensteiger's solo home run in the first inning, putting the visitors ahead 1–0. However, the Wildcats responded strongly in the second inning, highlighted by Grant Payson's three-run homer and Braxton Brosmer's two-run shot, resulting in a six-run inning that gave the red and grey a 6–1 edge.
- The third inning saw Greg Vineyard keep the momentum going with a three-run home run, followed by Brosmer's second homer of the game. Braxton Brosmer's performance was exceptional, as he recorded a season-high 7 runs batted in. The scoring continued as Landon Ruoff scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 12–2. IWU further widened the gap in the fourth inning, scoring four runs, including a two-run double by Matthew Drozlek, making it 16–2.
- The fifth inning saw the Wildcats explode for ten runs, with Nick Wiley's solo home run and a two-run double by Cayden Jones fueling the offensive surge. Wiley not only scored a season-high 4 runs but has also achieved at least 3 hits in 2 consecutive games and recorded at least 3 runs batted in for 2 consecutive games. The home team capitalized on defensive miscues, increasing the lead to 26–3. Indiana Wesleyan added three more runs in the sixth inning, with Andrew Sinish's RBI double setting the stage for Payson's two-RBI single, bringing the score to 29–3.
- The Cougars managed to add one more run in the seventh inning, but IWU's lead was insurmountable. Carson Bush also contributed significantly, scoring a season-high 5 runs.
- Cam LaFuze pitched 4.2 innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs while striking out four batters. He faced 27 batters and issued six walks, contributing to a WHIP of 2.38. LaFuze threw 118 pitches with 61 strikes, showing endurance despite the high pitch count. Cooper Chinn came in relief for 2.1 innings, giving up two hits and one earned run while striking out four. Chinn also walked three batters and allowed a home run, finishing with a WHIP identical to LaFuze at 2.38.
KEY WILDCATS
GAME TWO RECAP
- In the second game, Indiana Wesleyan began strong, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Brosmer scored on a wild pitch, followed by Jay Tomes' two-RBI single up the middle, bringing in Matthew Drozlek and Landon Ruoff. Carson Bush added an RBI single, giving the Wildcats a 4-2 lead after the first inning.
- Brosmer extended the lead further with a solo home run in the second inning, making it 5-2. The scoring continued in the third inning with Ben Seitzinger's single and Carson Bush's subsequent single setting up Grant Payson's sacrifice fly, which brought Seitzinger home, increasing the lead to 6-2.
- During the fourth inning, Ruoff's two-run homer brought in Brosmer, who had doubled earlier, extending the red and grey's advantage to 8-3. In the fifth inning, Tomes singled to drive in Greg Vineyard, maintaining IWU's momentum with a 9-5 lead. The sixth inning saw Indiana Wesleyan capitalize on fielding errors, with Vineyard reaching on an error, allowing pinch runner Cayden Jones to score, making it 10-7.
- Noah Wathen led the Wildcats' pitching staff with a strong start, delivering 4 innings while striking out nine and allowing only three hits. Despite conceding three runs, two of which were earned, he managed a solid WHIP of 1.50. Grayson Schneider followed in relief, pitching .2 innings and striking out one, but struggled with control, issuing three walks and allowing two earned runs. Zach Troxel closed the game with 2.1 innings, striking out five and earning a save despite allowing two earned runs on two hits.
KEY WILDCATS
LOOKING AHEAD
- IWU takes on USF again tomorrow at 1:00 PM.
- Links for video, and stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.
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