PHILIPPI, W. Va. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College baseball team split a Saturday afternoon doubleheader against Alderson Broaddus University in Great Midwest Athletic Conference action. The Panthers fell in extras 6-5 in game one before posting a 6-0 shut out in game two.
Game 1: KWC 5 – ABU 6 (10 innings)
Wesleyan faced a three-run deficit entering the eighth inning but a two-run home run from Cam Curry cut the gap to one. Ben Wilcoxson evened the game at five, scoring Ian Ellis on a double to left field.
The Panthers put the winning run on third in the top of the ninth but were unable to score. Joey Lara retired three straight batters in the bottom of the ninth, sending the game to extras.
Ethan Maxey led off the tenth with a walk but was unable to get past second base. The Battlers led off the bottom of the frame with a double that would score on a single to right field.
Zach Burton pitched the first five innings, striking out eight while allowing four runs off of nine hits. Nolan Johnson went 2.1 innings, allowing one run and striking out two. Lara took the loss, going 2.0 innings with two strikeouts and one run. Alex Franzen faced the final batter of the game.
Game 2: KWC 6 – ABU 0 (7 innings)
Chase Andrews, Cam Chapman and Brayden Sisson each drove in a run to give the Panthers an early 3-0 lead after the second inning in game two.
Wesleyan scored two more runs in the fourth with Lane Kennemore getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Joseph Burke capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Chapman.
Wilcoxson drove in the final run for the Panthers in the sixth with a single through the left side, scoring Curry.
Devin Smith improved to 6-0 on the mound, striking out nine and allowing three hits in 6.0 innings. Curry pitched the final inning, striking out two and not allowing any this or runs.
The Panthers and Battles close out the series on Sunday with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 12 pm CT.
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