Quick starts in both games helped the Charger baseball team sweep Dordt Friday at Bishop Mueller Field. The Chargers improve to 25-12 overall and are 9-9 in GPAC play.
“The bats came out hot today and our pitchers were solid all day,” said head coach Corby McGlauflin. “Its not easy to beat anyone in this league twice, so it was a great day.”
Jacob Wesselamnn earned the win in game one, throwing his sixth complete game of the season while striking out nine batters. He allowed just five hits and two runs.
The Defenders scored one run off Wesselmann in the top of the first, but the Charger bats quickly responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Jake Allen drove in the first run for the Cliff, scoring Jared Sitzmann with a single to left field. In the next at-bat Harrison Jestel singled to right field, scoring Jake Federico. With runners on second and third, Cyler Melvin cleared the bases, legging out a triple.
BC added two more runs in second inning, with Darnell Prince doubling to right, scoring Matthew Hmielewski. Sitzmann crossed home plate for the second time, off the bat of Federico.
Dordt managed a run in the fourth inning to cut the Charger lead to 6-2. Wesselmann cruised through the final three innings, allowing just one hit, and striking out the side in the top of the seventh to close out the game.
Allen led the Charger bats, going 3-for-4 with one RBI and Melvin had two RBIs. Sitzmann went 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks.
Sitzmann quickly put the Chargers on the scoreboard first in game two, sending a home run ball over the left field fence on a 0-1 count. Federico scored Prince with a single to right, and after stealing second base Federico was drove in by Jestel. Hmielewski drove in two Chargers with a single to left as the Chargers extended their lead to 6-0.
Dordt started to mount a comeback late, scoring two runs in the fifth and a run in the seventh. Austin Carter took the mound in the top of the eighth out of the bullpen, as the Cliff held onto a 7-5 lead. With a runner on third and two outs, he struck out the Dordt batter to end the inning. Carter completed the two innings save, retiring the Defenders 1-2-3 in top of the ninth.
Dalen Blair took the mound in game two, picking up his fifth win of the season going 7.0 innings with eight strikeouts. Carter picks up his first save of the year, providing two scoreless innings in relief.
Prince and Federico both tallied two hits and a stolen base. Hmielewski led the Cliff with two RBIs and Melvin reached base two on walks.
The Chargers are back at Bishop Mueller Field Sunday for a doubleheader against Hastings. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
