OWENSBORO, KY — In the series finale on Sunday, the Kentucky Wesleyan College baseball team clinched a narrow 5-4 victory over the Purdue Northwest in a non-conference contest marked by pivotal plays. The Panthers, now 6-5, rode on performances that swung the momentum in their favor at critical junctures.
The game unfolded under challenging conditions with sunshine, winds, and temperatures hovering around 40 degrees. The Panthers led by their starting pitcher
Noah Cook, showed some resilience against the formidable Pride. Cook saw some trouble early, giving-up a two runs in the second and a run in the third to fall behind 3-1. A key sequence in the three-run third inning saw
Braden Vinyard and
Liam Hutson each produced RBI singles, lifting Wesleyan to a 4-3 lead. This burst of offense proved fundamental, setting the tone for the rest of the contest.
Elijah Stockton gave the Panthers a 5-3 led after a RBI double in the bottom of the fifth.
Tension peaked in the top of the seventh when Purdue Northwest capitalized on an error by Panthers' which loaded the bases. However, reliever
Ethan Ell and the Panthers contained the pressure, allowing only one run from a wild pitch before regaining control. After a walk to lead off the top of the ninth,
Zach Taylor came into the game to pitch the ninth. Taylor faced a high-stakes situation with two runners in scoring position. After hitting the first batter he saw and a sacrifice bunt, Taylor struck out the final two batters, sealing the win for the Panthers.
Cook pitched six innings to pick-up the win. He allowed three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts. Hutson and Stockton each went two for four on the day.
Next, the Panthers will take their talents to Dale Miller Field in Morgantown, W.V., where they face Fairmont State on March 7. First pitch is scheduled for 1PM.
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