Wayne, Neb. — Sophomore closer Braden Cannon set the all-time saves record at Wayne State in the opener and sophomore outfielder Carter Thomas went 5 for 5 with four runs scored in the second game to cap an 8 for 9 afternoon to lead the Wayne State baseball team in a key Northern Sun Conference road sweep at Sioux Falls Wednesday afternoon 4-1 and 12-5. WSC, who entered the game fifth place in the league, is now 24-16 and 19-11 in the NSIC while USF, who was seventh starting the day, drops to 21-21 and 14-18 in conference play.
The opener saw starter Corbin Kirk allow a first inning double for the lone USF hit of the game and Cannon came on in the seventh to earn his all-time leading 15th save in a Wildcat uniform to lead the Wildcats in a 4-1 victory.
The host Cougars used a walk, double and sacrifice fly in the opening frame to grab a 1-0 lead.
WSC tied the score in the second Kaden Young walked and scored on a groundout by Cannon.
The ‘Cats took a 3-1 lead in the fourth scoring a pair of unearned runs as Kyler Essink and Cannon each singled and later scored on a two-run single by Thomas.
An insurance run in the sixth by WSC gave the ‘Cats a 4-1 lead as Cannon doubled and came home on a Thomas single.
Kirk improved to 5-2 on the season with six innings of one-hit ball, allowing one run with four strikeouts and three walks. Cannon worked a perfect seventh with two strikeouts for his fifth save this season and new school record 15th overall, surpassing the previous school record of 14 held by Curtis Bussard from 2013-16.
WSC had 10 hits in the win, led by Thomas going 3 for 4 with three RBI while Essink also had three hits with a run scored. Cannon went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored while Colin Lynam also doubled.
The second game saw the Wildcats account for 18 hits with Thomas going 5 for 5 at the plate as WSC capped the sweep with a 12-5 win.
Chase Douglas opened the scoring with a RBI single in the first scoring Thomas (walked) followed by a Quinn McCafferty RBI single to bring home Douglas for a 2-0 lead.
After USF scored in the second to make the score 2-1, WSC produced five runs in the third to grab a 7-1 lead. Thomas had a double for the lone extra base hit of the game for the ‘Cats and also had an RBI single later in the inning.
The host Cougars scored a run in the third to make the score 7-2 until the seventh inning when WSC came up with two runs for a 9-2 lead.
Sioux Falls had a three-run eighth inning to cut the WSC lead to 9-5, but the ‘Cats answered with three runs in the top of the ninth on four hits to close with a 12-5 win. Freshman Max Heard and sophomore catcher Trey Wells each produced RBI singles in the inning.
Thomas led Wayne State’s 18-hit attack with a 5 for 5 day at the plate with a double and four runs scored. Douglas was just as impressive going 4 for 5 with three runs scored. Wells, McCafferty and Essink each added two hits as eight different Wildcats had RBI’s in the victory.
Starter Kolt Davis worked the first four innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Reliever Josh Kilzer pitched the next two innings and earned the win moving to 3-0 on the year. Eli Crnkovich (two innings) and Braden Sweet (one inning) also saw action from the bullpen.
Wayne State is at home this weekend hosting Northern State in a three-game NSIC series, starting Saturday with a doubleheader at noon followed by a nine-inning game Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m.
