DWU takes two from Grace in home opening DH

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan baseball team completed a two-game sweep over Grace University (Neb.) Wednesday at Drake Field in Mitchell, S.D.

DWU took game one from the Royals 16-3 and the second game, 8-5. The Tigers have now won six in a row after starting the season with seven straight losses. DWU is 6-7 overall early in the season.

In game one, the Royals started out on top with two runs in the top of the first, but it was all DWU as the Tigers scored a combined 14 runs in the first three innings. The Tigers added two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings to secure the victory.

The middle of the lineup propelled the Tigers in the first game, as the No. 3, 4 and 5 batters went 11-for-13, adding 10 RBIs. Senior Austin Calhoon (Winner, S.D.) went 4-for-4 with four RBIs, while scoring four runs. Neil Nagle (Olso, Minn.) went 4-for-5 at the plate, chipping in five RBIs and two runs. Starting shortstop Dominic Sebastiani (San Francisco, Calif.) also had a good day at the plate, going 3-for-4, scoring two runs. Jonah Johnson (Kerkhoven, Minn.) and Lakin Neugebauer (Mitchell, S.D.) added two hits apiece.

Junior Braiden Jorgensen (Tetonia, Idaho) started and picked up the win in his first game of the year on the mound, tossing five innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out a season-high eight batters.

In the second bout of the afternoon, Grace held a 3-1 lead until the Tigers plated three runs in bottom of the fourth, and four more runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Second baseman Cole Wenande (Alexandria, S.D.) went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Nolan Luhmann (Jackson, Minn.) and Johnson added two hits each.

Freshman relief pitcher Drake Brown (Idaho Falls, Idaho) picked up his first win in a Tiger uniform, throwing 3 and two thirds innings of relief, allowing two runs on four hits.

The Tigers visit Peru State College for two doubleheaders, with the first game beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday in Peru, Neb.