The Wayne State baseball team (3-1) routed the University of West Georgia Wolves (5-8) in a four-game series, 3-1, to kickoff the 2010 season. The series mirrored the 2008-09 seasons opening series victory of 3-1 against UWG.
Along with a 3-1 record, experience was gained after a winter of training on the basketball courts in Matthaei.
“The first time you ever get out and win a series, there’s definitely some satisfaction,” said coach Ryan Kelley.
The Warriors pitching set the tone of the series early on, managing a 5-1 win in the first game of the double-header. The second game of the series wasn’t very different, ending with another 5-1 WSU victory.
After two wins, sloppy execution allowed the Wolves to win a tight 6-5 game the next day. WSU bounced back to take another commanding victory 7-1.
Led by starting pitchers senior Justin Mazur and junior Brett Shankin, who allowed only five hits apiece, game one was completely dominated from start to finish.
Mazur’s leadership and performance proved to be a bright spot in WSU’s game plan.
“His presence on the mound, he took the approach that he was going to win that ball game,” Kelley said. “No matter how he had to do it, he got the job done. There was a lot of good plays that helped us win, but I think his mound presence and leadership reflected in the overall performance of the entire team.”
Nothing satisfies a coach more than to see players step up, and no one understood that more than sophomore inner-fielder Alex Trojan.
Trojan allowed the Warriors to strike first, as he drove in two runs with a double in the top of the fourth inning.
“He stepped up and knocked some runs in for us and did a good job offensively,” Kelley said.
Trojan had no problem assisting, racking up six RBI’s during the series.
WSU capitalized on two defensive mistakes in the seventh inning by two UWG players, which led to four runs resulting in a 5-0 score.
Later in the inning, UWG ended all hopes of Shankin securing a shut-out as he surrendered a home run.
The Warriors repeated this performance in the second game.
The mound presence of the pitchers and shortstop Caleb Dalman committing no errors during the weekend made it easier for WSU to win games in such dominating fashion.
But the mistake-free play wasn’t present in game three.
The Warriors committed too many errors in their only loss of the series. Dropped balls in center field, at shortstop and behind the plate handed UWG half of the runs that it scored during the game.
“A lack of execution was probably the main reason we lost that game,” Kelley said.
One of the team’s captains saw things similar to how Kelley explained it.
“We made a few mistakes hitting and missing signs that hurt us. West Georgia really didn’t beat us we beat ourselves” catcher Michael Wiseman said.
Even in loss, Wayne State had many positives. Senior Ryan LaPensee became the career all-time leader in runs with his 135th career run in the first inning.
“I look for him to be a catalyst to carry us offensively,” Kelley said.
The last game proved to be the best for the Warriors as they bounced back and won 7-1. WSU was led by Wiseman who batted .750 during the series, including two hits and two runs in the fourth game.
“We need to continue to build rhythm,” Kelley said.
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