After scoring just one run on four hits in the opener, the Wayne State baseball team produced 13 runs on 12 hits in the second game to gain a split at Upper Iowa Friday afternoon in Northern Sun Conference baseball. Host Upper Iowa won the opener 3-1 followed by a 13-2 win in seven innings for the Wildcats in the second game. WSC is now 18-26 and 12-18 in the NSIC while the host Peacocks fall to 12-30 and 10-21 in conference games.
In the first game, the Wildcats were limited to just four hits as the host Peacocks registered a 3-1 win.
WSC opened the contest with one run in the first inning as Alex Logelin walked and scored on a Colin Lynam single down the left field line for a 1-0 lead.
The score stayed 1-0 Wildcats until the bottom of the fourth when the Peacocks strung together three hits, culminated by a three-run homer, putting Upper Iowa in front 3-1.
UIU had one more hit than WSC 5-4. Andrew Hanson was 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and stolen base. Travis Baily doubled while Colin Lynam added an RBI single.
Senior lefthander Andrew Staebell (4-2) suffered the loss despite firing his fourth complete game of the season. He allowed just three runs on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk.
The second game saw Keean Allen and Cade Herrmann combine to limit UIU to two runs while the Wildcat defense turned two double plays to back a 12-hit attack in a 13-2 win to gain a split.
The Wildcats got off to a quick start in the second game, scoring three runs in the first inning. Chris Cornish and Nick Barnett each had run-scoring singles to get WSC on the board early.
After Upper Iowa scored two runs in the bottom of the first to cut the WSC lead to 3-2, the ‘Cats scored one run in the second and three in the third for a 7-2 cushion. Cam Madsen singled and scored when Alex Logelin reached on an error for Wayne State’s run in the second. Conner Fiene’s three-run homer in the third gave the ‘Cats a 7-2 lead.
WSC increased their lead to 11-2 with a four-run fifth. Logelin had a two-run single for the key hit in the inning.
Wayne State added two more runs in the seventh for a 13-2 advantage. Colin Lynam accounted for an RBI single while the other run came on a fielder’s choice from Chris Cornish that brought home Nate Sailors (double).
The ‘Cats held a 12-6 edge in hits over the Peacocks. Logelin was 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI. Fiene homered and also drove in three runs. Barnett was 2 for 4 with two runs scored while Lynam went 2 for 5 with a pair of singles.
Sophomore starter Keean Allen (4-3) was the winning pitcher, working four innings. He was charged with two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Cade Herrmann fired three scoreless innings of relief to earn the save, allowing just three hits with one strikeout.
Wayne State and Upper Iowa conclude their three-game NSIC series Saturday with a nine-inning game at 12 p.m.
