Wayne State’s men’s baseball team finished up a two-week span where it compiled with a 2-6 record. The baseball team played five games in Florida, followed by three home games.
The Warriors were swept in all three of their doubleheaders against Nebraska-Omaha, Minnesota-Duluth and Ashland. WSU was still able to pick up two separate wins against Minnesota-Duluth and Ashland.
The road trip to the Russmatt Invitational in Florida got off to a rocky start, as games against three different opponents were canceled due to weather. Despite the delay, the first game in Florida did not disappoint.
The game went into extra innings before the Mavericks of Nebraska-Omaha knocked a run in and celebrated victory. The Mavericks added to the Warriors misfortune in the second game of the doubleheader blanking WSU with a score of 8-0.
The doubleheader against Minnesota-Duluth gave WSU two more losses in Florida. Wayne State dropped the first game 4-8.
The second game against the Bulldogs of Minnesota-Duluth was a high-scoring affair. WSU went up 1-0 in the first inning, but the Bulldogs answered quickly. UMD scored in bunches including two unearned runs in the first inning and seven runs in the second.
After three innings, the score was 11-5 in favor of the Bulldogs. Michael Wiseman hit a three-run homer in the fourth and by the seventh inning, WSU only needed three runs to tie.
The Warriors battled their way back with two runs, but still lost the game 13-12. Paul LaMantia hit a perfect 5-for-5 with three triples, four RBI, and three runs scored.
In the final game of the Florida trip, WSU pulled out a close victory against UMD. The game was relatively low-scoring until a spark was lit under both teams.
In the top of the sixth, the Bulldogs drove in six runs, but the Warriors responded with seven. WSU went on to win 9-8 with pitcher David White getting the save.
Wayne State opened up its home schedule with three games against Ashland in two days. The first home game of the season was a close 12-11 victory for the home team. Wiseman and Alex Trojan both finished with three hits.
Saturday’s doubleheader against the Ashland Eagles did not have the same sweet taste for the Warriors. WSU lost both games 5-6 and 6-8.
“We had the momentum the majority of the doubleheader,” said coach Ryan Kelley.
In game two, the Warriors gave up seven runs in the fifth inning in its 6-8 loss to the Eagles. After getting three runs in the fourth inning, set up by LaPensee’s 214th career hit, the Warriors were unable to carry the momentum into the fifth.
Starting pitcher Brady Cooper didn’t give up any hits in the fourth inning before surrendering seven runs to the Eagles as the Warriors 4-0 lead faded. The Warriors scored twice in the seventh inning with John Skaggs RBI single and Kyle Vesey’s RBI double —all with two outs — to close the gap, but still came up short.
“Late in ballgames your defense has to make the plays,” Kelley said. “We didn’t do it, Ashland did.”
WSU looks to improve on their record in the weeks to come. The Warriors continues conference play March 24 with a home doubleheader against Tiffin University.
Daniel Dumas contributed to this article.
Wayne State roughed up during road trip
Return home doesn’t solve issues
Published: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 18:03
 "Photo: Mark Hicks / WSU")
Mark Hicks / WSU
Early in the season, outfielder Ryan LaPensee is third on the team in batting average and leads the team with four stolen bases.
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