Wayne, Neb. — Wayne State scored nine runs in the final two innings and seven Wildcats had multi-hit games as Wayne State outscored Winona State 16-8 Saturday afternoon to win the series finale in a three-game Northern Sun Conference baseball series played at Loughery Field in Winona, Minnesota. WSC is now 26-21 and 21-16 in the NSIC while Winona State ends the year at 21-28 and 18-21 in league play.
The ‘Cats used three walks and an RBI fielder’s choice from Kyler Essink to score in the first inning.
After Winona State scored three times in the bottom of the first, WSC cut the Warrior lead to 3-2 in the second when Max Heard walked and crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly by Quinn McCafferty.
WSC used three runs in the fourth to grab a 5-3 advantage. Colin Lynam’s two-run double was the lone hit in the inning as the ‘Cats used two walks and a Winona State error to score three runs.
Winona State answered with a three-run bottom of the fifth inning to regain the lead at 6-5.
Both teams scored single runs in the sixth inning with WSC leaving the bases loaded. Nate Cunningham had an RBI single to drive home Colin Lynam (singled).
WSC tied the score at 7-7 with one run in the seventh inning. Cade Lynam walked and scored on a bases loaded walk to Essink.
Wayne State then came up big in the final two innings score three times in the eighth followed by six runs in the ninth for a 16-7 lead.
Chase Douglas and McCafferty had RBI singles in the eighth inning. The ninth inning saw WSC produce six runs on six hits. Nick Barnett had a pinch-hit three-run homer while Douglas and McCafferty each added RBI singles.
Winona State closed the scoring with a run in the ninth to make the final score 16-8.
Wayne State had 17 hits in the game while also 11 walks and four Winona State errors to get plenty of base runners in the three hour and 45 minute contest. Nate Cunningham was 3 for 3 with two runs scored. Douglas ended 2 for 4 with four runs scored. McCafferty was 2 for 5 with three RBI while Colin Lynam had a 2 for 5 game with two RBI. Freshman Max Heard added two hits with a double and three runs scored while Barnett had a pinch-hit three run homer.
Freshman Kyler Hanson started the game and worked 4 2/3 innings, charged with six runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. Junior reliever Kadyn Van Hill (1-1) picked up the win in relief with two scoreless innings of relief and three strikeouts.
The Wildcats will be the #5 seed for the NSIC Baseball Tournament in Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota starting Wednesday, May 8. WSC faces #4 seed St. Cloud State Wednesday at 12 p.m. at Municipal Ball Park in Bismarck, North Dakota.
