Two games were on the docket for the Wayne State College baseball team Saturday afternoon.
Back at the Pete Chapman Baseball Complex, WSC entertained Minnesota Duluth in doubleheader action.
Thanks to a 3-2 victory, Wayne State College extended their winning streak to five before suffering a 7-1 loss in the second game of Saturday being the third game of the series. WSC also won 13-6 on Friday to lead the series at 2-1 now sitting 16-12 (12-7 NSIC). The Bulldogs are 13-15 (9-10 NSIC).
In Saturday’s opener, scoring was limited in the first three innings until Wayne State College put a run on the board in the home half of the fourth. Senior Chase Douglas scored on a throwing error.
WSC added two more runs in the home half of the fifth. Redshirt junior Cam Madsen posted a two-RBI single scoring junior Nate Cunningham and senior Keagan McLaughlin.
Minnesota Duluth answered with a two-run top of the sixth.
Final favored Wayne State College holding onto the 3-2 victory outhitting UMD, 8-2. Wayne State College committed one error compared to two errors by the Bulldogs.
Cam Madsen singled twice and drove in two runs as Nate Cunningham singled twice and scored. Senior Kaden Young also doubled.
Chase Douglas singled and scored; redshirt freshman Connor Hunt and senior Quinn McCafferty both singled as Keagan McLaughlin scored.
Junior Clay Beaumont (81 pitches) picked up the win in five and a third innings allowing two runs (one earned) off one hit while striking out six batters and walking three. Junior Braden Cannon (14) earned his fifth save of the season in an inning and two-thirds allowing one hit.
During the the late afternoon outing, Minnesota Duluth opened scoring with a single run in the top of the first inning.
The Bulldogs then built on their lead with three more runs to go up 4-0 through two innings.
Following a scoreless third, UMD plated one run in the top of the fourth.
Wayne State College followed with their lone run of the game a half of an inning later. Quinn McCafferty drove in sophomore Max Heard.
Neither team scored in the fifth before the visiting Bulldogs plated two more runs in the top of the sixth during the nine-inning outing.
Final favored Minnesota Duluth winning 7-1 and outhitting Wayne State College, 12-4. Wayne State College committed one error compared to zero errors by UMD.
Max Heard doubled and scored while Quinn McCafferty singled and drove in a run.
Senior Taylor Gill and Kaden Young both singled.
Senior Josh Kilzer (31 pitches) suffered the loss in an inning and two-thirds allowing four earned runs off seven hits while striking out one batter.
Five relief pitchers followed starting with sophomore Conlin Grady (44) in two and a third innings allowing an earned run off one hit while striking out two batters and walking three. Sophomore Braden Sweet (23) worked an inning and a third allowing two earned runs off one hit while walking two batters. Senior Eli Crnkovich (27) pitched an inning and two-thirds allowing one hit while striking out three batters. Senior and Wayne native Jacob Kneifl (13) came in for an inning allowing one hit. Freshman Carson Obrecht (19) closed out the final inning allowing one hit while striking out and walking one batter each.
