Tigers cruise in game one, but drop second game to in-state rival

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team took on in-state rival Mount Marty College for a Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader as DWU dominated the first game, 6-0 and fell in the second game, 5-4 Thursday at Drake Field in Mitchell.

 The Tigers (9-16, 5-7 GPAC) took a one-run lead in the bottom of the first after Chandler Bakley (Martin, S.D.) reached first on a fielder's choice, bringing Reed Harter (Colome, S.D.) home. Two innings later, DWU added two more runs after Bakley singled, plating another run. In the sixth inning, Branden Oropeza (San Francisco, Calif.) tallied a one-run single. Moments later, Bakley recorded his fourth RBI of the game after knocking a two-run single into center field, securing the game for DWU.

 Bakley led the charge for the Tigers after going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and Harter went 2-for-2 with three runs. Oropeza and Landon Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D.) each finished 1-for-3. Dominique Boerger (Milbank, S.D.) went the distance as he pitched seven innings, struck out two batters and only allowed two hits.

 The Lancers (20-12, 6-6 GPAC) used a five-run first inning to open up the second game. DWU added a run in the bottom of the first after Kyle Bailey (Brandon, S.D.) was walked with the bases loaded. In the fourth inning, Bakley smacked a two-run single into left field that brought the Tigers within a run. However, the comeback fell short as DWU could not muster a tying run in the game.

 Bakley finished the second game 1-for-4 with two RBIs, as Harter went 2-for-4 with a run and Oropeza finished the game 1-for-2 at the plate. Gunnar Johnson (Gresham, Ore.) pitched four innings as he struck out three batters.

 The Tigers are scheduled to host Hastings College in a GPAC doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday in Mitchell.