Wabash split a Saturday home doubleheader against Illinois Wesleyan as part of a three-game weekend series against the visiting Titans. The Little Giants won the opener in dramatic fashion with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a three-run rally for an 8-7 victory. Wabash lost game two 11-4.
Wabash is 8-6 overall this season, while Illinois Wesleyan is 7-7. The two teams meet in Bloomington, Illinois, on Sunday to complete the series.
GAME 1
Wabash 8, Illinois Wesleyan 7
Wabash led 5-4 entering the ninth inning, only to see the Titans take a 7-5 lead with a three-run outburst. The Little Giants opened the ninth inning with walks to Caleb Ellsperman and Will Phillips. Camden Scheidt loaded the bases with a rocket shot off the Illinois Wesleyan third baseman before Ben Henke was hit by a pitch to trim the lead to one run. A wild pitch scored Phillips with the tying run.
The Titans got an out with an infield pop-up before intentionally walking Miles Cvelbar to load the bases. Will McKenzie delivered the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly center for the 8-7 victory.
Dylan Haslett (1-0) picked up Wabash’s victory out of the bullpen. The right-hander went two innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on three hits, allowing three walks and striking out two. Caleb Everson started the ballgame and pitched 6.2 innings, giving up four runs, two earned, on five hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.
The Little Giants were led offensively by Ellspermann, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a triple, a walk and two RBI. McKinzie also compiled a standout day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Scheidt also chipped in for Wabash, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
GAME NOTES
• Everson struck out five Titans hitters.
• Every Wabash starter reached base safely in the win.
• Wabash’s highest-scoring inning was the ninth when it pushed three runs across.
• Wabash went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
• Wabash pitchers faced 43 Illinois Wesleyan hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out seven.
• The Little Giants drew seven walks from Illinois Wesleyan pitching.
• Ellspermann led the Little Giants at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI.
» Illinois Wesleyan was led offensively by Jimmy Gurgone, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
GAME 2
Illinois Wesleyan 11, Wabash 4
DJ Mendez went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI for the Wabash Little Giants in an 11-4 loss to the Titans.
Aidan McConnell (2-1) got the ball to start for Wabash and took the loss.
In the batter’s box, the Little Giants were paced by Mendez, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a double and three RBI. Henke also put together a standout performance at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. McKinzie also contributed for Wabash, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double.
The Little Giants got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Will Fremion came across to score the lone run of the inning for Wabash on a groundout by Mendez to get Wabash on the board.
The Titans then rallied to score eight runs in the third and fourth innings and take an 8-1 lead before the Little Giants got back on the board in the fourth. Wabash pushed two runs across on a two-run double by Mendez, bringing Henke and Evam Neukam home to trim the lead to 8-3.
Illinois Wesleyan added three more runs in the sixth inning before Henke provided the final run for Wabahs with an RBI double in the eighth.
GAME NOTES
• Wabash’s highest-scoring inning was the fourth when it pushed two runs across.
• Wabash pitchers faced 46 Illinois Wesleyan hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out seven.
• Mendez led the Little Giants at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI.
• Illinois Wesleyan was led offensively by Tyler Woltman, who went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
• Will Davidsmeier led the Titans pitching staff, throwing seven innings of three-run ball.
