SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Indiana Wesleyan baseball had a successful doubleheader against Spring Arbor on Saturday, winning the first game decisively 8–1 and securing a narrow 3–2 victory in the second game. The Wildcats will face #24 Marian to begin their Crossroads League Tournament run.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Spring Arbor, Mich. | Burbridgel Field
- Records: IWU - 30-20, 23-13 | SAU - 23-23, 17-19
- Game One Score: IWU def. SAU 8-1
- Game Two Score: IWU def. SAU 3-2
- NAIA Rankings: IWU - NR | SAU - NR
GAME ONE RECAP
- In the first game, Indiana Wesleyan started strong with an early lead, as Jay Tomes scored on a single by Matthew Drozlek in the first inning.
- The Cougars tied the game in the third inning with a run scored on a bases-loaded walk, leveling the score at 1–1.
- IWU regained the lead in the fourth inning when Matthew Drozlek was hit by a pitch and later scored on a Nick Wiley single, putting the Wildcats ahead 2–1.
- In the eighth inning, Nick Wiley extended the Wildcats' advantage with a two-run homer following a double by Trevor Vojtkofsky, increasing the lead to 4–1.
- The ninth inning saw Indiana Wesleyan secure the win with a strong offensive performance. Carson Bush hit a solo home run, followed by a two-RBI single from Matthew Drozlek and an RBI single by Ben Seitzinger, capping off the inning with four runs.
- Judah Simmons pitched 4 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 1 hit while striking out 3 and walking 3, throwing 62 pitches with 38 strikes. Grayson Schneider followed with 1 inning, issuing 1 walk and hitting a batter, with 9 pitches thrown and 4 strikes. Zach Troxel contributed an inning, conceding 1 hit and recording 1 strikeout, throwing 19 pitches with 14 strikes. Tate Warner pitched a clean inning with 1 hit allowed, tallying 9 pitches of which 7 were strikes. Kenna Rankin Jr. closed with 2 innings, giving up 2 walks, hitting 1 batter, striking out 1, and throwing 28 pitches with 14 strikes.
KEY WILDCATS
GAME TWO RECAP
- In the second game, the Wildcats secured a 3–2 victory after a pivotal seventh inning. The first four innings saw both teams struggling to find momentum, with neither side able to score. Spring Arbor struck first in the fifth inning as Aiden Brunin walked and stole second before Joey Tessmer hit a two-run homer to left field, putting the home team ahead 2–0.
- In the seventh inning, IWU mounted a decisive comeback. Greg Vineyard singled to center field, followed by Landon Ruoff's single that advanced Vineyard. Ben Seitzinger entered as a pinch hitter and delivered a crucial RBI single, bringing Vineyard home and narrowing the gap to 2–1. Andrew Sinish, running for Ruoff, and Seitzinger both scored on a Jay Tomes single to left field, propelling Indiana Wesleyan to a 3–2 lead. This score held through the end of the seventh inning, as SAU was unable to respond.
- Cooper Chinn started the game for the red and grey, pitching 3 innings without allowing a run, walking none, and striking out four while giving up four hits. Bryce Legel relieved Chinn, pitching 2 innings with two earned runs on two hits, including a home run, while striking out one and issuing two walks. Caleb Olsen followed with 1 inning of work, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one, and was credited with the win, improving his record to 2-1. Tarick McGlothin closed out the game with 1 inning, striking out one and walking two, securing the save.
KEY WILDCATS
LOOKING AHEAD
- IWU begins Crossroads League Tournament play against #24 Marian on Thursday April, 30th at 6:00 PM. The tournament will be hosted by Spring Arbor at Burbridge Field.
- Links for live stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.
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