BLOOMINGTON, Illinois — Wabash rallied from a 5-4 deficit after eight innings to win in thrilling fashion, tallying four runs in the ninth to earn an 8-5 victory over the Illinois Wesleyan University Titans on Sunday. The victory gave the Little Giants a 2-1 advantage in the three-game weekend series.
Wabash (9-6) trailed 5-4 heading into the ninth inning after already rallying for an 8-7 win at home against Illinois Wesleyan (7-8) on Saturday at home. Camden Scheidt opened the top of the ninth with his 45th career double. Ryan Keating entered the game as a pinch runner and raced to third on a groundout to put the tying run 90 feet away with two outs.
Zach Bielecki came to the plate as a pinch hitter and delivered an RBI base hit to tie the score at 5-5. A walk to Will McKenzie and a wild pitch put runners at second and third. DJ Mendez loaded the bases with a walk before Michael Galanos drove in the eventual winning run when he was hit by a pitch. Caleb Ellspermann followed with a two-run single to provide insurance runs with the 8-5 lead. Braeden Bryant held the Titans scoreless in the ninth inning to secure the victory.
The Little Giants got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Wabash got an RBI single from senior Galanos, scoring junior McKinzie from second base.
The Titans failed to push any runs across before the Little Giants offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Wabash brought home a pair, with one run driven in by McKinzie’s single, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Little Giants.
Illinois Wesleyan fired back to tie the ballgame at three before Wabash reclaimed a 4-3 advantage in the sixth inning. The Little Giants scored once on an RBI single off the bat of senior Will Phillips.
Senior Gavin Pierson (1-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Wabash (9-6). The southpaw went 1.2 shutout innings while giving up one hit.
GAME NOTES
• Wabash’s highest-scoring inning was the ninth when it pushed four runs across.
• Wabash went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.
• Wabash pitchers faced 42 Illinois Wesleyan hitters in the game, allowing 13 ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out two.
• The Little Giants drew seven walks from Illinois Wesleyan pitching.
• McKinzie led the Little Giants at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
• Illinois Wesleyan was led offensively by senior Cade Tomhave, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
