Calhoon hits 3 HRs in split on Senior Day

MITCHELL, S.D. – Senior outfielder Austin Calhoon (Winner, S.D.) had himself quite a Senior Day as the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team split with top-ranked Morningside College (Iowa) in a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup Saturday at Cadwell Park in Mitchell, S.D.

The Tigers took game one 9-4, while the Mustangs answered by taking game two 19-7.

Starting pitcher Dustin Steckler (Garretson, S.D.) propelled the Tigers to victory on the mound in game one, tossing a complete seven-inning game, allowing three runs on seven hits, while striking out seven batters and walking four.

Calhoon had one of his best hitting performances of his career, going 2-for-3 with five RBIs, a walk and three runs, while crushing two home runs to opposite field.

Senior first baseman Neil Nagle (Oslo, Minn.) went going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, a run and a double, while Tyler Waddle (Huron, S.D.) added two hits in the win.

DWU saw the Mustangs charge to a 4-0 lead after two innings, and the Tigers were unable to get things going in game two, allowing five home runs to the Morningside offense. The Tigers answered with four runs in the bottom of the third and two more in the fifth, but it wasn't enough as Morningside cruised to victory with 23 hits in the contest.

Senior Jonah Johnson (Kerkhoven, Minn.) went 3-for-4 at the plate and took the loss on the mound after throwing three innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and a walk.

Cole Wenande (Alexandria, S.D.) and Calhoon each added two hits and two RBIs in the loss, while Calhoon added his third home run of the day.

The Tigers (22-20, 7-7 GPAC) hit the road to face Briar Cliff University (Iowa) for a GPAC doubleheader matchup at 1 p.m. Monday in Sioux City, Iowa.