Oropeza homerun lifts DWU to second game victory over Broncos

MITCHELL, S.D. – Senior Branden Oropeza (San Francisco, Calif.) gave an offensive boost to the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team in Great Plains Athletic Conference action Tuesday at Drake Field in Mitchell, S.D. Hastings College won the first game 7-2, while DWU took the second game 4-3.

 In the second inning of the first game, the Broncos (14-17, 6-4 GPAC) took a 2-0 lead thanks to a single and a DWU error. However, the Tigers (10-17, 6-8 GPAC) evened the score following an error by the Hastings pitcher, allowing two Tigers to cross home plate.

 In the next inning, the Broncos took a 6-2 lead after a two-run homerun capped off the inning. DWU was held scoreless for the remainder of the game as they fell in the opener.

 Reed Harter (Colome, S.D.) and Chandler Bakley (Martin, S.D.) finished the game 1-for-3, while Kyle Bailey (Brandon, S.D.) went 1-for-2 at the plate. Dominique Boerger (Milbank, S.D.) pitched three innings, striking out one batter.

 The second game was a different story for the Tigers. After trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, DWU added a run after an error by the Hastings third baseman. With two runners on base, Oropeza came up to the plate and nailed a three-run homerun over the left-field fence to give the Tigers a 4-2 lead. The homerun proved to be enough as DWU took the second game to split the day with Hastings.

 Oropeza went 1-for-3 with three RBIs, as Wes Anderson (Duluth, Minn.) finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. Gavin Reichmuth (Chandler, Ariz.) picked up the victory on the mound after pitching four and two-third innings, while Dillon Stadlman (Parkston, S.D.) earned the save after striking out three batters.

 DWU is scheduled to host Morningside College in a GPAC doubleheader at 2 p.m. Saturday in Mitchell, S.D.