Wolves Late Rally Earns Them Split with Wayne State

4.4.04
ABERDEEN, SD - The Wolves could only put together four hits (two in the first inning) as they fell 7-2 in game one to Wayne State. Game two saw the Wolves score four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to win game two 7-6.

The Wolves took an early 2-0 lead as Deacon Burns and Benji Kieffer had base hits and later scored. After that Wayne State shut the Wolves down. Wayne scored single runs in the second third and fourth innings, and four runs in the fourth get the win.

Justin Downes (0-3) took the loss for the Wolves as he went 3 2/3 innings, giving up six runs on nine hits. Rhett Gunderson relieved Downes and went 3 and a 1/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits.

Game One Stats

Game two saw the Wolves leave the bases loaded in the first inning after scoring only one run. But that one run kept the Wolves in the lead through the first four innings as Jared Olson kept the Wildcats off the board.

Olson (1-1) went all seven innings giving up six runs on nine hits.

Wayne finally broke into the scoring column in the fifth inning when two hits scored two runs giving them a 2-1 lead.

The Wolves took advantage of two Wildcats errors in the bottom of the fifth to get back two runs and a one run lead (3-2).

Wayne Struck again in the top of the sixth as a three run homer gave them a 5-3 lead.

After the Wolves went scoreless in the bottom of the sixth Wayne added what they thought was an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a solo home run to take a 6-3 lead.

After Burns popped out to second to start the seventh inning the Wolves began to rally. Benji Keiffer walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Justin Downes doubled off the wall and left and advanced Kieffer to third. Then Ryan Beert struck out swinging for the second out of the inning. Wayne's pitchers began to struggle as they walked the next two batters scoring a run and making it a 6-4 ball game.

Ben Cupp, who had been struggling at the plate, pinched hit as the Wildcats brought in Joe Wall to try and close it out.

Cupp hit an infield single that scored a run and made it a 6-5 game.

Seth Taylor then chopped one to second base and was able to beat the throw as the game was tied at six.

Charlie Woida then slapped a base hit to left field to score Backous and complete the late inning comeback for the Wolves.

For the inning the Wolves put together four runs on four hits to get the win.

The Wolves are now 8-14 overall and 3-5 in the NSIC. Wayne State is 22-10 and 4-3 in the NSIC.

The Wolves next action sends them to Marshall, MN on April 8th and 9th to take on Southwest Minnesota State.

Game 2 Stats