HILLSDALE, Mich. – After falling in game to Hillsdale College, the Kentucky Wesleyan College baseball team put together some seventh inning magic in game two but were unable to complete the comeback, suffering a loss in both games of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference doubleheader.
Game 1: KWC 2 – Hillsdale 5
The Panthers pounced early with a pair of runs in the top of the first. Andrew Kirkland hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop that was misplayed, allowing Cody Bridges to score. With two on and one out, Ostin Clark laid down a single in center, scoring Joseph Burke and putting Wesleyan ahead 2-0 early.
Hillsdale utilized a wild pitch to get on the board in the bottom of the first. The Chargers plated two more runs in the third and one each in the seventh and eighth to take the 5-2 win. Wesleyan outhit the Chargers seven to five but were unable to plate a run past the first inning.
Chris Johnson moved to 3-1 on the season, throwing 6.2 innings with five strikeouts, four hits and four runs. Nate Verst threw 1.1 innings of relief, allowing one run off of one hit.
Game 2: KWC 4 – Hillsdale 5
The Chargers scored the first run of game two in the bottom of the third inning on a two-out double to take a 1-0 lead. Ben Wilcoxson tied the game in the top of the fifth with a double to left field, scoring pinch runner Kiah Gledhill.
In the bottom of the frame Hillsdale regained its lead scoring two runs off of three hits to take a 3-1 lead.
Bridges led off the top of the sixth with a walk and moved into scoring position after Kirkland was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Cody Jackson ripped a single to right field, bringing home Bridges and making it a one run game. Hillsdale responded in the bottom of the sixth with two runs of their own to take a 5-2 lead with one inning left.
Wilcoxson led off the top of the inning with a single through the right side and reached third after Jake Carter was hit by a pitch and Lane Kennemore singled to right field. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Bridges drew a walk, scoring Wilcoxson and cutting the deficit to two. Joseph Burke grounded into a double play but was able to drive in Carter making it 5-4. The Chargers brought in a new pitcher who got the job done and held on for the win.
Sammy Holder suffered his second loss of the season, moving to 3-2 after throwing 4.0 innings with five strikeouts, five hits and three runs. Taylor Soper threw 1.0 innings of relief with one strikeout, one hit and no runs. Joey Lara closed out the final 1.0 innings, allowing two runs off of two hits.
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