Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader At Wayne State; Takes Sole Possession of GLIAC Lead

OVERVIEW – WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY

GAME 1

SCORE: Northwood 8, Wayne State 3

RECORDS: Northwood 25-7 (12-2 GLIAC), Wayne State 22-10 (12-3 GLIAC)

LOCATION: WSU Baseball Complex, Detroit, Mich.  

RECAP: Timely hitting propels the Timberwolves over Wayne State as Tyler Jandron tosses another complete game and breaks the school record for wins with his eighth of the season.  

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS

• Wayne State opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first with three hits and taking advantage of a Northwood error. However, Northwood starter Tyler Jandron was able to limit the damage and pitch out of the inning with the bases loaded.
• In the top of the fourth, the first three Timberwolves reached base without a hit. David Vinsky was hit by a pitch, while Ryan McClelland and Daniel Pulver both walked to load the bases for Grant Bridgewater. The senior catcher then brought home the first Northwood run on a single to right field scoring Vinsky.
• The next batter, Nick Palmer stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and cranked his first home run of the season - a grand slam over the 37.5 foot high "Green Monster" in left field that replicates the Fenway Park "Green Monster", giving the Timberwolves the 5-2 lead.
• Wayne State formulated somewhat of an answer with a run of their own in the home half to make it 5-3. However, NU grabbed control of the contest in the top of the fifth with two more runs to make it 7-3. Ryan McClelland hit an RBI double that scored Vinsky and would then score on a Wayne State fielding error.
• The Timberwolves would add an additional insurance run in the top of the seventh as Austin Gonser scored on a wild pitch to make it 8-3. Northwood rode another impressive pitching performance from Jandron who went the distance to earn the victory in game one.

GAME 1 STATS

• Runs/Hits/Errors Northwood: 8/5/2 Wayne State 3/8/1
• Runners Left on Base: Northwood: 5 Wayne State: 10
• Winning Pitcher: Tyler Jandron (8-0) 7 IP, 8H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 7K
• Losing Pitcher: Chris Horvath (5-2) 4 IP, 5H, 8R, 7ER, 6BB, 8K

TOP NU PERFORMERS

• Nick Palmer (1-3 HR, 4RBI)
• Ryan McClelland (2-3, RBI)

GAME 1 NOTES

• Tyler Jandron breaks the Northwood school record for wins with his 8^th of the season. He accomplishes the record in eight career starts.
• Nick Palmer's grand slam was his first home run of the season and first career collegiate grand slam.
• Northwood overtakes sole possession of first place in the GLIAC with the win.

GAME 2

SCORE: Northwood 15, Wayne State 0

RECORDS: Northwood 26-7 (13-2 GLIAC), Wayne State 22-11 (12-4 GLIAC)

LOCATION: WSU Baseball Complex, Detroit, Mich.

RECAP: Northwood dominates from start to finish, scoring runs in the first six innings and cruising to the 15-0 lopsided win in game two.  

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS

• Northwood wasted no time in carrying the momentum from game one into game two as the Timberwolves plated a crooked number in the top of the first. Connor Foley led off with a single through the left side. After a Daniel Pulver single, there were two aboard for Nick Palmer. Palmer added to his already outstanding day with his second bomb of the afternoon, this one a three run jack to centerfield, putting Northwood up 3-0.  
• The Timberwolves continued to add to their lead with a run in the second on an RBI single by David Vinsky, and a run in the third on a Javier Martinez sacrifice fly. After three innings of play, NU led 5-0.
• Northwood continued to pour it on as the lead ballooned to 7-0 compliments of a Connor Foley 2-run round-tripper to left-center.
• Another run in the fifth for the Timberwolves on an RBI single by Robert Spencer followed by a RBI single in the sixth by Pulver saw Northwood's advantage grow to nine runs.
• Meanwhile, Matt Pearsall, the starting pitcher for the Timberwolves cruised along on the mound, holding Wayne State scoreless in his seven innings of work while scattering just six hits and striking out seven.
• After a scoreless seventh, the route was on as Northwood continued to busy the box score with six more runs in the top of the eighth to make it 15-0. The three scoring plays for Northwood were a 2-RBI triple by Nick Palmer, a three run bomb for Kyle Ziegler, and a solo four-bagger for Robert Spencer.
• Nathan Langenfeld and Brogan Briggs pitched the eighth and ninth for Northwood to preserve the shutout win for the Timberwolves as well as the sweep for the afternoon.

GAME 2 STATS

• Runs/Hits/Errors Northwood: 15/15/1 Wayne State 0/7/2
• Runners Left on Base: Northwood: 6 Wayne State: 9
• Winning Pitcher: Matt Pearsall (3-2) 7 IP, 6H, 0R, 0ER, 3BB, 7K
• Losing Pitcher: Hunter Brown (2-1) 3 IP, 4H, 6R, 7ER, 4BB, 2K

TOP NU PERFORMERS

• Nick Palmer (3-4, HR, 3B, 5RBI)
• Connor Foley (3-4, HR, 2RBI) 
• Kyle Ziegler (1-4, HR, 3RBI) 
• Robert Spencer (1-4, HR RBI) 

GAME 2 NOTES

• Nick Palmer had two career home runs coming into play today, he matches that mark in one day with two home runs on the day.
• Nick Palmer's nine RBIs in one day are the most in one day for his career and match his season total from his freshman year.
• Northwood ends the day a game and a half in front of Wayne State in first place of the GLIAC.
• With the sweep of Wayne State, Northwood now holds a game and a half lead over the Warriors for first place in the GLIAC.
• Northwood has now won six in a row over Wayne State dating back to last year. The Timberwolves are 7-3 against Wayne State under head coach Jordan Bischel.

COACH JORDAN BISCHEL

"We've talked all year about the first key to success being pitching and defense and we did a really good job in that area today. Nick palmer was a huge spark for us offensively. We know Wayne State will be ready to play tomorrow and we are excited for the challenge.  

UP NEXT

• The Timberwolves continue the road series at Wayne State with a doubleheader tomorrow (April 15). First pitch is scheduled for 12 pm.