Wayne State University’s baseball team managed to secure their first conference wins of the season by clinching both games of a doubleheader against Purdue Northwest. The victories came in with scores of 10-6 and 13-4, respectively, improving Wayne State’s overall record to 12-14, and their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) record to 2-1. Purdue Northwest now stands at 9-11 overall and 1-6 in the conference. The series will complete with a final game scheduled for Sunday.
In the first game, both teams were scoreless through two innings, but Purdue Northwest took a 4-0 lead in the third inning. Wayne State responded strongly in the fourth inning with four runs, starting with Jacoby Dale’s score on a passed ball. The team continued the inning with consecutive RBI singles from Aidan Arbogast, Ty Garza, and Noah Murciano.
The game saw Purdue regain the lead by 6-4 in the fifth inning. However, Wayne State surged ahead in the sixth with five runs, highlighted by Dale’s bases-clearing double. The Warriors added two more runs in the seventh inning to secure the win. Gabe Nazelli was the starting pitcher for Wayne State, conceding six runs, while Nick Baker closed out with two and two-thirds innings of no-hit relief.
In the second game, Wayne State dominated early, taking a 9-0 lead before Purdue Northwest managed to score. The Warriors’ 13 hits came from a wide range of players, with Jacoby Dale, Mason McGuire, and Drew Hill contributing significantly. Sebby Hitzelberger hit a home run, his second of the season. Pitcher Will DeMasse delivered a strong eight innings, allowing only four runs and securing his second win of the season. Keegan Pulford-Thorpe completed the game with a hitless ninth inning.
The successful doubleheader sets up Wayne State for the conclusion of their series on Sunday.
