Tigers falter in crucial GPAC DH

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team led both games of a Great Plains Athletic Conference matchup against Dordt College, but the Tigers were swept at Cadwell Park in Mitchell, S.D.

The Defenders tallied 12 runs in the final four innings in game one, defeating the Tigers 12-2. In game two, Patrick Whetham (Garretson, S.D.) pitched with a one-run lead until the top of the ninth when Dordt tied the game, ultimately defeating DWU 3-2 in 12 innings.

The losses drop DWU to 7-11 in the GPAC, putting the team squarely on the bubble for the conference postseason tournament. The Tigers sit in a three-way tie with Doane College and Dordt for the final spot in the GPAC tournament, an event DWU won last year.

Whetham pitched his best game of the season, but did not factor into the decision after tossing eight and one third innings, allowing an earned run on five hits, striking out 11 and walking one.

Junior Will Lutjen (Miller's Place, N.Y.) took the loss on the mound, throwing three and two third innings, giving up an earned run on three hits, while striking out two. Cole Wenande (Alexandria, S.D.) was the only batter with a multi-hit performance in game two, going 2-for-5 at the plate with a run. Tyler Waddle (Huron, S.D.) and Neil Nagle (Oslo, Minn.) each added a hit in the loss.

In game one, the Tigers held a one-run lead until the Defender offense exploded in the late innings.  

Senior starting pitcher Dustin Steckler (Garretson, S.D.) suffered the loss after tossing six innings, allowing eight earned runs on nine hits, while striking out three batters.

Senior shortstop Dominic Sebastiani (San Francisco, Calif.) gave DWU an early lead with a solo home run, his second of the year.

The Tigers (23-25, 7-11 GPAC) were originally scheduled to play Mount Marty College on Saturday, but due to impending weather, DWU will visit MMC for their final GPAC doubleheader of the season at 3 p.m. Sunday in Yankton, S.D.