Northwest Wayne News

Wayne State University's baseball team is set for a non-league matchup against Findlay following their recent performance against new Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference member, Roosevelt. Wayne State, standing at 16-15 overall, recently swept Roosevelt, while Findlay holds a 15-15 record. Wayne State previously faced a defeat by Findlay on April 1 in a closely contested game with a score of 4-3.

The Warriors showcased strong performance at the plate last week, hitting .342 as a team. Leading hitters included Caleb Sanders at .600, Drew Hill at .412, Bennett Hitzelberger at .375, and Mason McGuire at .350. Additionally, Jacoby Dale, Owen Tuccinardi, and Brady Blakita each posted a .333 average. On the mound, Wayne State achieved a collective ERA of 2.30 over 43 innings.

Findlay's team, guided by fourth-year coach Matt Palm, features a batting average of .249 and a team ERA of 6.19 this season. Notable offensive players include Casey Maruniak, Luke Senften, and Keelan Daniel, each hitting above .300. Maruniak also stands out in multiple offensive categories. Pitchers Camdon Tuttle, JJ Harman, and Sabastian Stevens have been instrumental this season, contributing significantly to Findlay's efforts.

The last meeting saw Wayne State briefly lead with a run in the fifth before Findlay responded with runs in the sixth and seventh. Despite a tense ninth inning where Wayne State loaded the bases, the Warriors were unable to capitalize, concluding the game with a four-run total given up by their pitching staff, all unearned.

Wayne State's head coach Ryan Kelley, in his 17th year, marked his 500th career win after the sweep against Roosevelt, bringing his overall record to 500-319-1.