Wayne State College continued their hot start with a series split against Dordt University in a Wednesday doubleheader.
The Wildcats put junior pitcher Taylor Coleman in the circle to start game one against the Defenders. It was smooth sailing for Coleman for 2.1 innings pitched, working with a one run lead after a walk with the bases loaded from junior centerfielder Jordyn Klein in the top of the second.
The Defenders would answer back with a two-run double in the bottom of the third that would put them on top for the first time on the day. Coleman would cruise for another 2.1 innings pitched before running into some trouble again in the bottom of the fifth.
After WSC tied the game in the top of the fifth with a one out single from sophomore third baseman Maddie Scobee, the Defenders would find themselves with two runners on and two outs again and execute with a double to score both runners. Dordt would move on top once again 4-2 at the end of the fifth.
The Wildcats would try to rally in the top of the seventh with two outs and the bases loaded but were unable to come through dropping the first game 4-2 to the Defenders. WSC would go for nine hits but were only able to scratch across two runs.
WSC would put redshirt sophomore pitcher Kennadi Borngrebe on the mound in game two to try and split the series against Dordt. Borngrebe showed why she was All NSIC Second Team a season ago, striking out the side in the bottom of the first and striking out four of the first six batters she faced.
The Wildcat offense would finally begin to arrive in the top of the third with a pair of singles from junior infielder Lillie Timm and sophomore infielder Leah Chance, along with a walk worked in by junior outfielder Emilee Marth. Scobee would find herself with a bases loaded opportunity and execute with a double. This would put WSC on top 3-0 and put Scobee at 10 RBI’s on the season, leading all Wildcat hitters in that category.
The Defenders would respond quickly with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the third. This would be the only hit and run given up by Borngrebe in the circle for this game. The Wildcats still led 3-1 after three innings of play.
Not much offense would prevail in innings four and five. Marth started the Wildcats off with a double to left center in the top of the sixth followed by a single from Borngrebe to extend the Wildcat lead to 4-1.
Borngrebe would only need eight pitches in her final inning of work, striking out one in the bottom of the sixth. The Wildcats added some insurance runs in the top of the seventh with a three-run home run from Marth to extend the lead to 7-1. Borngrebe finished the game with a stat line of 6.0 IP, one hit and one run on eight strikeouts in 23 batters faced while also going two for four with an RBI.
The Defenders would make the defeat more respectable with a single with runners on first and third to cut the Wildcat lead down to 7-2. WSC went on to win 7-2 and improve to 5-1 on the year.
WSC travels down to Topeka, Kansas to participate in the Washburn Tournament this February 20 and 21.
