Kentucky Wesleyan College announces Senior Day sweep
OWENSBORO, KY - Senior Day meant more on Friday, not just because it would be the last time Jacob Adams, Nate Cunningham, Zach Curtis, Trent Hlafka, Jaret Humphrey, Cameron Langston, Aric Lyons, and Sammy Rowan played at Panther Park, but because there was a chance to clinch a trip to Prasco Park for the G-MAC tournament. The Panthers left no doubt, taking game one 10-6 before routing ODU 14-5 in game two to complete the sweep.
Kentucky Wesleyan finishes the regular season at 21-29 (15-17 G-MAC), while ODU closes at 24-25 (16-16 G-MAC).
Game One
Nick Judd proved early in the game that he could get out of a jam. With bases loaded and nobody out in the first, Judd retired three of the next four batters to allow just one run in the inning, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
The Wesleyan bats started making contact in the second inning, as they turned a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 advantage. A sacrifice fly from Aric Lyons scored Zach Curtis, and Braxton French hit an RBI single on the next at-bat to score Cameron Langston and give Wesleyan the lead. Kyle Werries closed the inning with a 2-RBI single. ODU answered with a run in the third, but another four-piece in the fourth inning extended Wesleyan's lead even more. RBI's from Brandon Valdez and Werries gave Wesleyan their first three runs, and Werries took advantage of an error by Ohio Dominican to make it 8-2 after four.
Ohio Dominican, who have already secured a spot in the G-MAC tournament, cut things to 8-6 in the fifth, but runs from Aric Lyons and Zach Curtis in the fifth and sixth innings put the game away for good.
Kyle Werries went 2-for-4 with 4 RBI's and a run scored, while Braxton French was dominant, going 4-for-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.
Nick Judd (4-5) struck out five in the win, while Josh Tucker allowed just 2 hits in 2.2 innings of work to get his fourth save of the year.
Game Two
Just like in the first game, Ohio Dominican went up 1-0 in the first. But also just like in the first game, Wesleyan quickly snagged back the lead, this time with a four-run first inning. Kyle Werries tied the game on an RBI single to score Aric Lyons, and Jaret Humphrey gave the Panthers the lead on the next at bat with a sacrifice fly. Zach Curtis then showed his power, smashing his 13th home run of the year over the left field fence to make it 4-1 after one.
Wesleyan continued to pour it on in the second inning, going up 7-1 thanks to a 2 RBI single from Brandon Valdez, and an RBI double from Kyle Werries. ODU hit a solo home run in the third, but Cade Gudalis answered with a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the inning, his first of the season.
The Panthers used RBI's from Jaret Humphrey, Kyle LaVanchy, and Kyle Werries, and a home run from Noah Davis to eventually go up 13-2 in the fifth inning, essentially putting the game out of reach. Gabriel Medina hit a solo shot in the sixth to seal the 14-5 win.
Kyle Werries went 4-for-4 with 3 RBI's and 2 runs scored in the game, while Kyle LaVanchy went 2-for-3 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.
Isaac Rose (3-4) struck out five in the win, while the trio of Trent Hlafka, Brayden Bush, and Chase Harlan failed to allow a hit during the final three innings of play.
The Panthers, who will be the 8 seed in the G-MAC tournament, will now await their opponent and game time. The tournament starts on Wednesday, May 10th at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio.
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Original source can be found here.