Tigers split with in-state foe at Tucson Invitational
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team made its annual 27-hour spring break trip to Tucson, Ariz., as it took on Presentation College in the Tucson Invitational on Saturday at the Kino Sports Complex.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Wesleyan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| Presentation | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 12 | 3 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Dakota Wesleyan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 14 | 2 |
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team made its annual 27-hour spring break trip to Tucson, Ariz., as it took on Presentation College in the Tucson Invitational on Saturday at the Kino Sports Complex.
In Game One, the Tigers (2-4) were propelled by a 12-run fifth inning, keeping the Saints (4-6) at bay for much of the game.
In the fourth, DWU plated three runs thanks to clutch hitting by Branden Oropeza (San Francisco, Calif.) and Hartman Katz (Huron, S.D.), as both nailed doubles off the left-field wall.
The fifth inning was all DWU, beginning with Peyton Price (Norfolk, Neb.) as he doubled to center field, scoring two. Oropeza followed with a two-run home run, putting the Tigers up 8-0. The offense didn't stop there as Michael Johnson (Huron, S.D.) and Tyler Waddle (Huron, S.D.) drove in runs for DWU. Senior Jared Neilan (Pierre, S.D.) matched Oropeza with a two-run shot to left field. The Tigers went on to bat around as Oropeza doubled to right field for another RBI.
Senior Patrick Whetham picked up his first win on the season, (Garretson, S.D.) tossing six innings, allowing three hits, while striking out six batters and giving up no runs.
Price had one of his best days in a Tiger uniform, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs, two doubles, while adding three runs. Oropeza followed with a 3-for-4 day, recording six RBIs, a home run and two runs. Zach Uttecht (Pierce, Neb.) notched a double, while going 2-for-3 with two runs, while Tramane Moore (Los Banos, Calif.) added two hits.
Game Two didn't go as planned for DWU, as it allowed three runs in the bottom of the sixth, giving Presentation a 9-8 victory.
Heading into the third inning the Tigers led 3-1, but a two run frame in the bottom of the third and another three-run inning in the fourth and sixth propelled the Saints to victory.
Neilan went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, a walk and a run, while Moore, Oropeza, Uttecht and Johnson added doubles for DWU.
Dominique Boerger (Milbank, S.D.) suffered the loss in relief after throwing two and one third innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits, while walking two and striking out two.
The Tigers take on William Penn University and the University of Winnipeg at 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. (MST) tomorrow at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
-J. Mills
