Midland downs DWU in walk-off fashion

FREMONT, Neb. – A strong performance on the mound by senior Patrick Whetham (Garretson, S.D.) wasn't quite enough as Midland University defeated the Tigers 6-5 on Thursday in the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament at Moeller Field in Fremont, Neb.

 The Tigers got on the board in the first inning when senior Zach Uttecht (Pierce, Neb.) hit a solo-shot over the left-field wall, but Midland quickly added three runs in the bottom of the second. However, the Tiger offense answered when Reed Harter (Colome, S.D.) homered in the top of the sixth. DWU followed with three more runs after Jared Neilan (Pierre, S.D.) hit an RBI double. Shortly after, Tramane Moore (Los Banos, Calif.) walked that scored Neilan.

 It was all Midland in the bottom of the ninth. Whetham retired the first batter of the inning, but was lifted after hitting a batter. William Lutjen (Miller Place, N.Y.) took the mound in search of his seventh save, but back-to-back singles ultimately plated the tying and winning runs for the Midland offense.

 Jerrod Zens (Alexandria, S.D.) went 2-for-4 in the loss. Whetham tossed eight and one-third innings, allowing five earned runs off six hits, while striking out six and walking four. Lutjen was saddled with the loss after tossing a third of an inning, giving up an earned run off two hits.

 The Tigers (17-30) takes on Dordt College in an elimination game at 3 p.m. Friday at Moeller Field in Fremont, Neb.