DWU drops two games in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. – In the second day of the Tucson Invitational, the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team dropped a pair of games against Concordia University, 16-1 and lost the nightcap to Presentation College, 6-1 Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.

 In the first game of the day, DWU took on a familiar foe as they battled Concordia for a non-conference matchup. The Bulldogs (2-3) got on the scoreboard early as they scored 13 runs in the first three innings.

 The Tigers (1-5) added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Reed Harter (Colome, S.D.) was walked with the bases loaded, bringing Chandler Bakley (Martin, S.D.) home. The run was not enough as Concordia took the first game of the day.

 Less than 24 hours after playing PC, DWU took on the Saints in hopes of avenging the loss the day earlier. PC was able to score in the top of the third frame to hold an early 1-0 lead.

 The Tigers were able to hit the ball hard throughout the game, but were unable to reach base. In the bottom of the eighth frame, Bakley recorded the first hit of the game as he reached first base. Two batters later, Heith Williams (Madison, S.D.) was hit by pitch as the Tigers put a runner on first and second.

 Moments later, Gilberto Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas) nailed a hit to left field to bring a run home and cut the deficit in half, 2-1. One batter later, freshman Cole Gassman (Canova, S.D.) hit the ball over the left fielder's head, but he caught the ball with a diving attempt to end the inning.

 DWU was unable to complete the comeback as the Saints added four runs in the top of the final frame to take the game.

 Ethan Davis (Billings, Mont.) pitched seven innings and recorded eight strikeouts and allowed four hits. Rodriguez went 1-for-4 with an RBI, as Harter finished 1-for-3 with the other RBI.

 DWU battles NCAA Division II opponent, Concordia University St. Paul at 4 and 6 p.m. tomorrow in Tucson, Ariz.