April 8, 2009
Game 1 - Augustana 2 #27 Wayne State 1
Game 2 - #27 Wayne State 10 Augustana 3
#27 Wayne State earned a split with Augustana in a conference baseball double-header on Wednesday afternoon in Wayne. The games were moved to Wayne due to poor field conditions in Sioux Falls. Augustana took game one by the score of 2-1, giving Wayne State its first conference loss of the season. Wayne State responded with a 10-3 win in game two. Wayne State is now 22-8 on the season and 12-1 in the NSIC. Augustana is 16-10 on the season and 6-3 in the NSIC.
In game one, Augustana took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single by Tom Hill. The score remained the same until the seventh inning when Augustana plated another run on a Wildcat error to take a 2-0 lead. Wayne State tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Josh Yost and Treye Hacker walked and Justin Hemauer singled to load the bases for WSC with only one out. Mike Bisenius followed with an RBI single to score Yost and cut the Augustana lead to one at 2-1. However, Nick Bidroski struck out and Jake Ritzdorf grounded out to end the game.
Wayne State had eight hits in the game compared to just four for Augustana. However, WSC left 13 runners on base, left the bases loaded three times and also committed three errors in the game. Mike Bisenius went 3 for 3 with an RBI to lead Wayne State offensively in the loss. Josh Voth (0-4) pitched a complete game, but took the loss on the mound for Wayne State. Voth allowed just two runs (one earned) and four hits with two walks and one strikeout for the ‘Cats. JaColby Anderson went 2 for 3 with a run scored to lead Augustana offensively in game one. Ezra Campbell (1-1) earned the win on the mound for the Vikings. Campbell allowed just one run on six hits with four walks and one strikeout in six innings of work. Bret Severtson pitched the final inning for Augustana to earn his fourth save of the season.
Wayne State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning of game two. Mike Bisenius had a two-run triple and Joe Wendte and Jake RItzdorf each added RBI singles to highlight the four-run first inning for the ‘Cats. Augustana scored a single run in the top of the third, making the score 4-1 in favor of WSC. The score remained the same until the sixth inning when Augustana plated two runs to cut the Wildcat lead to one at 4-3. Charles Dubanoski and Ian Strum each had sacrifice flies in the Augustana sixth inning. Wayne State responded with a huge six-run sixth inning to take control of the game. All of the damage was done with two outs in the inning. Joe Wendte, Treye Hacker and Mike Bisenius all walked to load the bases, and Eric Bond followed with a grand slam to left field to give Wayne State an 8-3 lead. After two more walks and a hit batter, Justin Hemauer delivered an RBI single which scored a second run on an Augustana throwing error, making the final score 10-3.
Both teams had nine hits in game two. Augustana committed four errors, and Wayne State had two errors in the game. Eric Bond went 3 for 4 with a grand slam, and Justin Hemauer went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored to lead Wayne State offensively. Eric Schwieger (4-0) earned the win on the mound for WSC. Schwieger allowed just one run on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts in four innings of work. Trenton Lee picked up his third save of the year for the ‘Cats. Nate Baumann went 3 for 4 with a run scored for Augustana. JaColby Anderson and Ian Strum had two hits apiece for the Vikings. Per Nestigen took the loss on the mound for Augustana and is 1-1 on the season. Nestigen allowed four runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in five innings of work for the Vikings.
Wayne State will travel to Southwest Baptist for double-headers on Friday and Saturday. Games are set to begin at noon on each day.