Wayne State used a six-run sixth inning to rally and take the lead for good as the Wildcats defeated Minnesota Crookston 10-4 Wednesday afternoon in the opener of a four-game NSIC neutral site baseball series played at the Adam LaRoche Baseball Complex in Fort Scott, Kansas.  The 'Cats are now 5-0 overall and 5-0 in the NSIC while the Golden Eagles fall to 1-3 and 0-1 in league play.
            Wayne State opened the scoring with a three-run second inning.  Designated hitter Alex Calabrese reached base on a one-out single and scored on Braden Cannon's home run to center field for a 2-0 Wildcat lead.  The third run came in when Max Heard singled to left field and later scored on a bases-loaded walk to Quinn McCafferty for a 3-0 advantage.
            The score stayed 3-0 until Minnesota Crookston put two runs on the board in the fourth on a two-run homer to make the score 3-2 and the Golden Eagles took a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning on another two-run blast.
            The Wildcats gained control of the game in the sixth inning scoring six runs on five hits.  WSC loaded the bases to open the frame as Kaden Young singled to left field, Cannon walked and Heard had a bunt single.  Carter Thomas followed with a two-run single to put the 'Cats ahead for good at 5-4.  McCafferty followed with a two-run double to left field bringing home Heard and Thomas for a 7-4 Wayne State lead.
            Senior outfielder Colin Lynam capped the big inning with a two-run homer over the left field fence giving Wayne State a 9-4 cushion.
            Wayne State added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Chase Douglas singled and later scored on a single to center field from McCafferty to make the final score 10-4.
            The Wildcats out-hit Minnesota Crookston 13-9.  McCafferty was one of four players with two hits, going 2 for 4 with four RBI that included a two-run double.  Cannon was 2 for 2 with a two-run homer, two RBI, two walks and two runs scored.  Heard had a 2 for 4 game with two runs scored while Douglas finished 2 for 4 with a pair of singles.  Colin Lynam had the other Wildcat extra base hit with a two-run homer to cap the six-run sixth inning.
            Starting pitcher Corbin Kirk worked five innings, allowing four runs on six hits with four strikeouts.  Reliever Alex Calabrese picked up the win with one inning of hit-less relief.  Senior Brody Sintek worked one inning of scoreless relief while junior Eli Crnkovich fired the final two innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits with one strikeout.
            The two teams face each other again Thursday with a doubleheader slated to start at 12 p.m. in Fort Scott, Kansas.