TUCSON, Ariz. – After a doubleheader sweep and complete game from Jacob Glovich yesterday, the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball program suffered a 7-3 defeat versus neutral-site challenger Ottawa University (Ariz.) on Tuesday evening from the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz. Bradley Skorczewski and Matt Bezdicek notched multiple hits in the matchup, however, Dakota Wesleyan was unable to overcome the four-run deficit in the single-game affair.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Head coach Charlie Dubanoski and the DWU offense resumed its fast start once again as the Tigers (4-3) pushed across runs in the first three innings. Bezdicek guided the Blue and Gray offensively with multiple extra-base knocks, raking in both a double and triple, and Dakota Wesleyan maintained a 3-0 benefit over OUAZ in the third frame. DWU infielder Drew Kitchens also notched both a double and RBI as DWU garnered the initial momentum at the plate.
The Spirit (8-14) bounced back in the bottom of the third stanza with a game-high five runs scored thanks to a trio of RBIs from Casey Downs. Multiple Ottawa (Ariz.) batters registered doubles in the contest, including extra-base hits from Deon Reese and Rene Brockman, which pushed OUAZ out in front 5-3.
Jereko Martinez, the junior right-handed pitcher from Riverton, Wyo. meanwhile provided the Tigers a chance to reclaim the lead midway through the outing. Martinez surrendered zero earned runs on six hits through five innings of work, and the Wind River High School product fanned five OUAZ hitters.
Daulton Wilcoxen and Luke LeMay also reached via hits, yet Ottawa (Ariz.) added a run in both the six and eighth innings and balanced a 7-3 advantage with three outs to play. Kyler Halverson recorded a pair of strikeouts in three innings of relief on the bump, though the Spirit notched the four-run, neutral-site victory.
UP NEXT
Dakota Wesleyan, who takes tomorrow off, hits the diamond versus the Spirit once again at 2:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m.) MST from the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.