MITCHELL, S.D. – Tied at three apiece, the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team rallied back in the eighth inning to defeat Northwestern College 5-4 in game one of a non-conference doubleheader Friday at Drake Field in Mitchell, S.D.
The Tigers went on to defeat the Red Raiders in game two by the final of 16-8.
DWU struck first in the bottom of the first in the opener, but the Red Raiders quickly got on the board in the top of the second. The Tigers added two runs in the bottom of the third and two more in the eighth to secure the victory.
Starting catcher Sean Riley (Driggs, Idaho) was the only Tiger to have a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. But, the rest of the Tiger lineup added their fair share on hits to propel DWU to victory. Senior Austin Calhoon (Winner, S.D.) got the nod on the mound, while also going 1-for-4 at the plate, including an RBI.
On the mound, Calhoon tossed four innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three batters.
Redshirt freshman Nathen Smith (Altona, Manitoba, Canada) picked up the win in relief for the Tigers, giving up a run and striking a batter.
Thanks to an eight-run fifth inning in game two, senior first baseman Neil Nagle (Oslo, Minn.) continued his strong campaign, going 2-for-3 with a three-run home run, adding five RBIs and two runs. Dominic Sebastiani (San Francisco, Calif.) also had a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and two runs. Peyton Price (Norfolk, Neb.) and Cole Wenande (Alexandria, S.D.) added two hits apiece in the contest.
Freshman relief pitcher Gavin Reichmuth (Chandler, Ariz.) picked up the win after throwing three and two thirds innings, allowing three runs on four hits.
The Tigers (12-9) hit the road to square off with Briar Cliff University in a nonconference nine-inning game at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at a neutral site in Yankton, S.D.