Tigers take two games from Dordt

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team downed Dordt College in a Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader as DWU won 12-1 in the first game and took the second game, 9-5 Friday at Ronken Field in Sioux Falls, S.D.

 The Defenders (3-10, 0-6 GPAC) added a run in the opening inning as they took an early 1-0 lead. However, the lead was short-lived as DWU tallied six runs in the following inning.

 Jerod Zens (Alexandria, S.D.) kicked off the scoring with an RBI single. Two batters later, Chandler Bakley (Martin, S.D.) singled to center field, bringing home two runs. The next three batters brought runners across home to give the Tigers (9-11, 4-2 GPAC) a 6-1 lead.

 In the bottom of the third inning, JT Miller (Sioux Falls, S.D.) singled to bring a run home. Two batter later, Drew DeMers (Winner, S.D.) hit an RBI single to give DWU an 8-2 lead.

 After holding the defenders scoreless through the next two innings, the Tigers added four insurance runs in the fifth frame to hold a 12-1 lead, pushing them to victory.

 Bakley finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs, as DeMers went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a pair of runs. Reed Harter (Colome, S.D.) finished 1-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a run, while Heith Williams (Madison, S.D.) finished the game with two RBIs.

 Dominque Boerger (Milbank, S.D.) pitched six innings, recorded eight strikeouts and allowed just four hits and one run.

 In the second game of the day, the Defenders jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead thanks to an RBI single and an RBI double in the first inning.

 After being held scoreless for three innings, Harter smacked a sacrifice fly to center field to bring Bakley home and cut the Defender lead in half. Dordt responded with a run in the fifth inning to hold a 3-1 lead as the Tigers were unable to complete the double-play and end the inning.

 In the bottom of the same inning, Tyler Torres (Novato, Calif.) hit an RBI single to pull the Tigers within a run. One batter later, Bakley nailed a two-run double to put DWU up, 4-3.

 In the bottom of the eighth frame, the Tigers opened up the game as they scored five runs. Dordt attempted a comeback in the final inning by scoring two runs, but the DWU fielding secured the 9-5 victory.

 Bakley led the Tigers as he went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run, while Cole Gassman (Canova, S.D.) came in to pinch hit and went 1-for-1 with two RBIs and a run. Wes Anderson (Duluth, Minn.), Kyle Bailey (Brandon, S.D.), Torres and Harter tallied an RBI each.

 Ethan Davis (Billings, Mont.) pitched seven innings and recorded four strikeouts and allowed two earned runs.

 The Tigers are set to play Concordia University in a GPAC doubleheader at 1 p.m. with the location to be determined.