Senior Jackson Shelburne allowed just one run over 6 2/3 innings of work while Taylor Gill and Max Heard led a balanced offensive attack each going 2 for 4 at the plate with three runs scored to lead Wayne State College baseball in a 12-1, seven-inning, win over Minnesota Crookston Saturday afternoon in the Northern Sun Conference baseball opener for both teams played in Pueblo, Colorado.  WSC is now 2-3 on the season and 1-0 in the league while UMC is 1-3 and 0-1 in NSIC play.
            The 'Cats opened the scoring with two runs in the second.  Gill singled to right field and later scored on a Gabe Monosmith single for the first run while Quinn McCafferty singled and scored on a Braden Cannon RBI ground out for the second run.
            WSC took a 4-0 lead in the third thanks to a two-out rally.  Gill singled and Heard walked with both players scoring on a McCafferty two-run single to center field. 
            After Minnesota Crookston scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the third to make the score 4-1, WSC tacked on two more runs in the fifth for a 6-1 advantage.  Heard doubled to right field and scored on a wild pitch for the first run of the frame while Gill walked and scored on a fielder's choice by Monosmith for the second run.
            The sixth inning saw the 'Cats scored two more runs as Chase Douglas tripled with one out and scored on a Max Heard two-run blast to right center field for an 8-1 Wildcat lead.
            Wayne State added four more runs in the seventh to close out the scoring in the 12-1 win.  Cannon had a two-run double to right center field, scoring Kaden Young (single) and pinch-runner Brayden Chaney.  Douglas added a two-run double down the left field line scoring Cannon and Casey Prychak (walked) for the final two runs.
            WSC had 14 hits in the win while holding UMC to just five.  Heard was 2 for 4 with a homer, double and three runs scored.  Gill was also 2 for 4 with three runs scored.  Monosmith finished 3 for 4 with two RBI.  Douglas went 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI while McCafferty finished 2 for 4 with a pair of singles and two RBI.
            Shelburne (1-1) earned the win with 6 2/3 innings of work, allowing just five hits and one run with seven strikeouts and two walks.  Senior lefthander Jacob Kneifl worked the final 1/3 inning for the 'Cats.
            The two teams play a doubleheader Sunday starting at 2 p.m. to resume their four-game NSIC series in Pueblo, Colorado.