The two teams will meet up for one, nine inning game Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., EST in Winter Haven, Fla., at the Chain of Lakes Baseball Complex. Follow the game action via live stats by following the link here:
http://sports.umdbulldogs.com/baseball/xlive.htm
Here is the Sunday's game story below.
UMD BASEBALL POWERS PAST WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY ON SUNDAY
The University of Minnesota Duluth (3-4 overall) baseball team went into its Sunday afternoon doubleheader against Wayne State (Mich.) University (5-7) averaging a little over three runs scored per game. The bats certainly came alive at Polk Community College Field in Winter Haven, Fla., as the Bulldogs combined to score 21 runs in sweeping the Warriors, winning by scores of 8-4 and 13-12.
UMD controlled the opener from the get-go and throughout, scoring at least one run in each of the game's seven innings - it scored two in the team's third at bat. WSU was able to plate three runs in the sixth inning, after scoring once the previous frame. The Warriors' thoughts of a comeback were put to rest, however, thanks to Bulldog sophomore reliever Mark Shaver. The Roberts, Wis., native didn't allow a hit over the final 1.1 innings, striking out one WSU batter.
Sophomore starter Collin Stinogel (1-1) earned the victory for UMD, allowing four runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings of work, striking out three in the process. Warriors' starter Brady Cooper took the loss.
The Maroon and Gold received contributions from their entire lineup, with six Bulldogs driving in at least one run and four players registering multiple hits. Junior shortstop Tyler Erickson went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, scoring two runs and driving in another pair. Senior catcher Brian Burman, senior co-captain Will Dahlgren and senior co-captain Bryan Denisen were the other UMD hardballers to record more than one hit.
The hitting continued in the nightcap for the Bulldogs - they laced a total of 12 hits in the game. Unlike the spread-out nature of UMD's scoring in game one, the Bulldogs poured on 12 runs in the first three frames (including a seven-spot in the second inning) to grab hold of the momentum.
WSU was slowly able to chip away at that big lead, and were trailing 13-10 heading into their final at bats. The Warriors scored two runs in the seventh and had runners on second and third with one out, when sophomore shortstop Orry Engebretsen snagged a line drive headed for the outfield. The Duluth, Minn., native was able to double up the WSU runner on third to end the game.
Pitching was shaky for UMD throughout the course of the game, but was good enough, just like Bulldog freshman starter Jordan Smith. The native of Raymond, Minn., went three full innings on the mound, allowing seven runs. Junior left Josh Taran and Shaver combined to finish the off the final four innings, bending but not breaking.
UMD went a combined 28-for-68 (.412 batting average) at the plate, mostly relying on small ball - they had just two extra base hits - to plate their 21 runs.
"We stayed aggressive at the plate and we weren't falling behind on the counts," said junior Tyler Erickson. "It was good in the second game though for the younger guys to get a feel for how a close game goes, especially in the late innings."
Originally scheduled for a day off tomorrow, Mar. 15, the Bulldogs instead will square off in one nine-inning game against WSU, this time at the Chain of Lakes Field Complex in Winter Haven, Fla. The first pitch Monday is set for 3:30 p.m., local time.
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