AUGUSTA, GA. - In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, the Kentucky Wesleyan College baseball team clinched a resounding 8-1 victory against the Augusta University in a non-conference showdown. The Panthers were swept by the Jaguars a season ago. The victory on Friday marks the first opening day victory for the Panthers since the 2021 season.
From the outset, the Panthers showed their prowess on the field. The game was marked by spectacular performances, notably from
Tate VanHooser, who impressed the crowd with a homerun and contributed two crucial runs.
Braxton French and
Jase Mizell each added two runs to the Panthers' tally, bolstering their lead, while
Cade Gudalis not only scored but also knocked in two vital RBIs.
The pitching was equally formidable with
Evan Oakley starting on the mound, supported later by
Ethan Ell, whose relief appearance was pivotal in securing the win. Together, they managed to strand 10 Jaguar runners on base. One of the game's highlights was
Cade Gudalis' two-run double in the third inning, which expanded the lead to 4-1, setting the tone for the rest of the game. In the eighth inning, a combination of VanHooser's homerun and several wild pitches by the Jaguars allowed the Panthers to extend their lead significantly, ensuring the victory.
Ben Brombaugh,
Rhett Dysholm, and
Braden Vinyard each drove in a run, ensuring the Panthers maintained their dominance throughout the game. Oakley picked-up his first win after five innings of work allowing one unearned run on two hits with nine strikeouts. Ell pitched four shutout innings in relief to earn the save. Ell allowed two hits and struck-out seven in his first appearance as a Panther
Looking ahead, the Panthers will continue the three-game series with the Jaguars on Saturday at Jaguar Field in Augusta, Georgia. First pitch is scheduled for 1PM CT.
Stay up to date on all your Panther news by following @KWCPanthers on X and Instagram and by liking the "Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics" Facebook page. Also, the Panthers Mobile App is available on iTunes and Android featuring real-time news alerts, schedules, exclusive multimedia content, gameday details and more.
