Tiger baseball sweeps Midland in GPAC play

MITCHELL, S.D. – Coming off a series sweep on Saturday, the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team picked up right where they left off on Sunday, defeating Midland University 10-8 and 5-4 in Great Plains Athletic Conference action at Cadwell Park in Mitchell, S.D.

 Down by six runs heading in to the bottom of the fourth, senior Zach Uttecht (Pierce, Neb.) put the first two runs on the scoreboard for DWU after hitting a two RBI home run over the left-field wall. The offense didn't stop there for DWU as they added six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Midland (22-10, 4-4 GPAC) didn't go down without a fight in the first game as the game eventually went into extra innings.

 In the bottom of the ninth senior Jared Neilan (Pierre, S.D.) stepped to the plate a hit a deep shot over the left-field wall, securing the victory for DWU in walk-off fashion.

 DWU tallied 13 hits led by Tyler Waddle (Huron, S.D.) who went 3-for-4 at the plate, with an RBI, a double, a walk and three runs. Hartman Katz (Huron, S.D.) added a double after going 2-for-4, while Brody Kunzmann (Sioux Falls, S.D.) was also 2-for-4 with two RBI.

 Steven Somerville (Ajax, Toronto, Canada) picked up the win in relief after tossing six innings, allowing four earned runs on nine hits, while walking four.

 In Game Two, the Tigers recorded four runs in the bottom of the third and another in the fifth to keep Midland at bay for the remainder of the game. Waddle went 3-for-3 with two RBI, a double and a triple, while Neilan homered to lead the Tiger offense.

 Dillon Stadlman (Parkston, S.D.) tossed four innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits, while walking three and striking out two. Senior William Lutjen (Miller Place, N.Y.) tallied his fifth save of the season in the finale.

 DWU (11-14, 6-4 GPAC) returns to action on Tuesday, taking on the University of Sioux Falls for a non-conference contest at The Birdcage in Sioux Falls, S.D.