Friday, March 13, 2009

Wayne State 9 Concord University 8

            Wayne State College scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to rally for a 9-8 win over Concord University of West Virginia Friday in the Wildcats' final game at the Savannah Spring Break Invitational Baseball Tournament in Savannah, Georgia.  After dropping their first two games on the spring break trip, WSC won their final three games to finish the tournament with a 3-2 record.  Both Wayne State and Concord University are now 7-5 on the season.

            The Wildcats took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, but Concord scored once in the third, three runs in the sixth, one in the seventh and three in the top of the ninth to take an 8-3 lead.  In the bottom of the ninth inning, WSC used four hits, three walks and an error by Concord to rally for the come-from-behind win.  Nick Bidroski's pinch-hit single scored Josh Yost to make the score 8-4.  Joe Wendte then belted a three-run homer to cut the Concord lead to 8-7.  Catcher John Plasha then singled to right field. Pinch runner Derek Eversole then advanced to third on wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt.  Alex Koch walked and Eric Bond was intentionally walked to load the bases.  Brandon Polk then drew a bases loaded walk to even the score at 8-8 and with one out, Josh Yost flied out to right field, bring home Alex Koch with the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly as Wayne State rallied for the 9-8 win.

            Wayne State had 11 hits to 10 for Concord.  Wendte finished 2 for 3 with five RBI's to lead a balanced attack for the Wildcats.  Mike Bisenius was 2 for 3 with a run scored while Justin Hemauer was 2 for 5.  Jake Ritzdorf, Nick Bidroski, John Plasha, Eric Bond and Josh Yost each added singles for WSC.

            Reliever Matt Meier (1-0), the fourth and final Wildcat pitcher of the game, was credited with the win.   He worked the final one-third of an inning, allowing one hit.  Starter Chad Moreland pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on six hits.  Jared Hegdahl was the first of three WSC relievers and lasted 2 2/3 innings, yielding three runs (one earned) on three hits with four strikeouts.  Eric Schwieger worked one-third of an inning, allowing one run. 

            Wayne State is scheduled to play its first home game of the season on Tuesday afternoon hosting Morningside College in a nine inning game starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Pete Chapman Baseball Complex.