Pitching, defense pushes Tigers to GPAC victory

SEWARD, Neb. – After a stellar outing by Dominique Boerger (Milbank, S.D.) and solid defense behind him, the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team defeated Mount Marty College 3-1 in the first round of the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament Friday in Seward, Neb.

 The Lancers (25-20, 16-12 GPAC) began the game with a leadoff single to right field. Starting pitcher Boerger worked around the leadoff single and picked up a strikeout to end the inning and the threat.

 The Tigers (23-21, 16-12 GPAC) began the game slow at the plate as MMC starting pitcher gave up no hits through four innings. The Lancers pushed across a run in the fourth inning after a double and a single to take a 1-0 lead.

 In the fifth inning, Drew DeMers (Winner, S.D.) began the inning with a single to right field. In the next at-bat, Chandler Bakley (Martin, S.D.) connected on a triple that scored DeMers from first base. Bakley scored after the Lancers tried to throw Bakley out at third base, and with one swing of the bat, DWU took the lead, 2-1.

 In the eighth inning, the Tigers began the inning with a leadoff walk by JT Miller (Sioux Falls, S.D.). Joseph Hanisch (Hartford, S.D.) advanced Miller on a sacrifice bunt. After Wes Anderson (Duluth, Minn.) was intentionally walked, Anderson stole second base which scored Miller from third base and DWU added an insurance run to make it 3-1 after eight innings of play.

 In the top of the ninth inning, Boerger was able to work around a Lancer jam to secure the victory and send the Tigers into the next round.

 Boerger pitched all nine innings, striking out five batters, while only giving up five hits and allowing one earned run. Bakley went 1-for-3 with an RBI-triple and a run scored on the overthrow at third base. DeMers also collected a single in the victory.

 DWU will advance to the next round to battle the winner of Concordia University and Doane University at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Seward, Neb.