Oropeza tallies four hits, Tigers split with in-state rival

YANKTON, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team hit the road for a Great Plains Athletic Conference battle against in-state rival Mount Marty College on Tuesday at Riverside Park in Yankton, S.D. The Tigers took the first game 11-5, while MMC won the finale 5-3.

 Junior Branden Oropeza (San Francisco, Calif.) had one of his best days at the plate in his first year in a Tiger uniform. Oropeza went 4-for-4 with two runs, five RBI, a double and a home run.

 The Tigers (7-14, 2-4 GPAC) tallied the first run on the scoreboard in the first inning, but the Lancers added three in the bottom of the third. However, two runs in the fourth and sixth innings, and three in the fifth and seventh propelled DWU to victory.

 Senior Jared Neilan (Pierre, S.D.) tallied a home run after going 1-for-4 with a run and two RBI. Tramane Moore (Los Banos, Calif.) continued his dominant performance at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs, a double and an RBI.

 Tyler Waddle (Huron, S.D.) tallied the win on the mound, while also going 1-for-3 at the plate, including a double. On the hill, Waddle went four and a third innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits, while walking two and striking out one.

 In the finale the Tigers put three runs on the board in as many innings, thanks to a two-run home run from Brody Kunzmann (Sioux Falls, S.D.). But, a run in the fourth, three in the fifth and another in the sixth was enough for the Lancers (9-13, 3-1 GPAC) to seal the victory.

 Senior Zach Uttecht (Pierce, Neb.) tallied a home run in the loss after going 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

 Steven Sagasty (Pacifica, Calif.) suffered the loss in relief after tossing two-thirds innings, allowing an earned run on three hits and walking one.

 DWU visits NCAA Division I South Dakota State University for one-nine inning exhibition game at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Brookings, S.D.