ROLLA, Mo. — Missouri S&T made the most of their six hits in defeating Wayne State College 5-2 Friday afternoon in the series opener of a non-conference four-game baseball series.
The Miners opened the scoring in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs on a two-run homer for a 2-0 lead.
The score stayed 2-0 until the fifth inning when the Wildcats scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the score at 2-2. Quinn McCafferty reached on an error to lead off the inning and scored on an infield single by Alex Calabrese. WSC tied the score in the sixth when Cam Madsen had a leadoff double to right field and scored on a Carter Thomas sacrifice fly.
The host Miners snapped the tie with a three-run seventh, using three hits, a walk, hit batter and Wildcat error to take a 5-2 lead.
Wayne State threatened to score in the eighth, but after loading the bases with one out, the Wildcats could not score. Colin Lynam opened the inning with a single to left field. Thomas reached on a fielder’s choice, Trey Wells doubled to left field and McCafferty walked to load the bases with just one out. But Missouri S&T’s bullpen registered a pair of strikeouts to end the scoring threat and went on to earn the victory.
WSC held an 8-6 advantage in hits. Lynam and Chase Douglas each went 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of singles. Wells and Madsen each doubled while Calabrese had an RBI single and Braden Cannon singled.
Starting pitcher Corbin Kirk worked six innings, striking out eight batters in getting a no-decision. He gave up three hits and two runs. Reliever Eli Crnkovich (1-1) suffered the loss in one inning of work, allowing three hits and three runs. Dylan Rodgers worked one inning of perfect relief.
Wayne State (7-2) and Missouri S&T meet again Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.
