Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Wayne State rallied from a seven-run deficit in the sixth inning to edge Augustana 10-9 and gain a sweep over the Vikings Tuesday in Wayne, Neb. The Wildcats won the first game 8-2.
With the losses, Augustana slipped to 20-12 overall and 8-2 in the NSIC as the Vikings had their seven-game winning streak snapped. Wayne State improved to 14-13 and 10-3 in the NSIC.
Augustana seemed poised to gain a twinbill split by using a 8-run sixth inning to pull ahead of the Wildcats 9-2. It all started with a bunt to the pitcher by
Nate Baumann, who then stole second.
Drew Heithoff brought him home with a single to left field. Heithoff stole second also, setting himself up to score on the double by
Deryk Marks.
The Wildcats then starting falling apart, making two errors in a row which allowed both
Charlie Dubanoski and
Dan Morrison to reach. Marks scored on the first error.
A double by
Nate Alfson scored both Dubanoski and Morrison, making the run total five so far in the inning. Alfson advanced to third on a wild pitch, and eventually scored on another wild pitch as
Derek Hansen drew the walk.
Nate Hewes reached on a throwing error, and the final two runs of the inning were scored when Baumann belted a double to right center to score Hansen and Hewes.
But the Wildcats rallied for four runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh to steal the win. In the sixth inning, Augustana looked to catch a break. With Augustana leading 9-3, WSC's Jarret Jackson hit a 3-run double to make the score 9-6. However, Jackson was thrown out at third to end the inning.
WSC then scored four runs, three of which were unearned, in the bottom of the seventh off Viking closer
Bret Severtson. Treye Hacker opened the inning by reaching on an error by Hewes. Following two walks and a groundout, the Wildcats had the bases loaded.
Joe Wendte drew a bases loaded walk to make the score 9-7 and Justin Beranek had an RBI single to make it 9-8. After Severtson struck out Nick Bidroski, John Plasha hit a 2-run single to center field to end the game.
The Vikings took the lead first, scoring one run in the third inning when Cook was walked and then scored on a triple by Baumann.
But the Wildcats came from behind, scoring two runs in the fifth.
Tyson Gau walked Brandon Polk who then advanced to second on a wild pitch. A single by Joe Wendte moved the runner third. Another single by Justin Beranek advanced Wendte, but Polk held at third since the ball was hit up the left field line. A double by Bidroski scored both Wendte and Polk.
Baumann had 3 of the Vikings' six hits to go along with 3 RBI. Alfson added 2 RBI.
In the opener, Augie jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning, as
Deryk Marks singled up the middle before stealing second. He was brought home on a single by
Charlie Dubanoski.
It was the only lead that the Vikings would get as Wayne State answered by scoring one run in the second. Treye Hacker was hit by Augustana pitcher
Derek Hansen and scored on the double by Mike Bisenius.
Another Wildcat run in the fourth gave Wayne State the lead, and was set up on an error by Augustana. Josh Nielsen reached on the error before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Polk. A ground out by Joe Wendte moved the runner to third and he finally scored on a single to right by Nick Bidroski.
The game was put out of reach in the seventh, when the Wildcats were able to score six runs on five hits off of Marks, who came in to pitch in the fifth inning. This gave Wayne State the 8-1 advantage.
In the ninth, the Vikings were able to put one more run on the board when
Jacob Lehnen pinch hit for
Sam Gotham and drew a walk.
Gates Cook walked behind him, moving Lehnen to second. A single by
Nate Baumann scored Lehnen and made the final 8-2.
Hansen (2-2) suffered the loss for the Vikings, allowing one earned run in 4.0 innings. He struck out four batters and walked five.
One bright spot for the Vikings was Marks, who went 3-for-4 with a walk and also stole one base.
