Bryce Bisenius delivered a two-run walk off homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Wayne State an 8-6 victory over Newman (Kan.) in the season opener for both teams at the Alpine Fresh 4 HIM Baseball Classic in Cleburne, Texas.
The Wildcats got off to a quick start, scoring single runs in the first and second innings for a 2-0 lead. Andrew Hanson’s RBI double down the left field line scored Alex Logelin with the first run of the season, and Jake Lemar doubled to open the second inning and later scored on a passed ball.
Newman rallied in the top of the fourth inning, scoring five unearned runs to take a 5-2 lead. But Wayne State countered in the bottom of the fourth, scoring two runs to cut the Newman lead to 5-4. Peyton Barnes produced a two-run double down the left field to bring home CJ Neuman and Jake Lemar.
The Wildcats regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh when Brendan Madsen singled and later scored on a Newman throwing error to tie the game at 5-5. They made it 6-5 on a sacrifice bunt from Chris Cornish that scored Hanson, who singled earlier in the inning.
Newman evened the score at 6-6 with a solo run in the top of the ninth inning to set up the dramatic finish for the Wildcats.
After Logelin opened the frame with a groundout, Hanson laced a double down the left field and Bisenius then stepped to the plate and blasted a homer over the right center field fence to give the Wildcats a thrilling 8-6 win.
Wayne State held an 11-9 advantage in hits over Newman in the contest. Hanson led the way for the Wildcats going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored. Lemar went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Bisenius added a two-run homer while Barnes had a double and two RBI and Logelin doubled.
The winning pitcher for the Wildcats was sophomore reliever Andrew Staebell, who worked the ninth inning and was charged with two hits and one run with two strikeouts. Senior Aidan Breedlove started the game on the hill and worked 3 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits with six strikeouts and three walks.
The Wildcats will play two games Saturday at the Alpine Fresh 4 HIM Classic in Texas, facing Southern Arkansas at 4:30 p.m. and Oklahoma Panhandle State at 8 p.m.
