After two walk-off wins in three games Friday and Saturday at Sauder Field, the Baker University baseball team was swept by Sterling College Tuesday in Sterling.
The Wildcats had given up three runs or less in six of their seven previous games, but the Warriors defeated BU 10-6 in game one and 19-3 in game two.<br/>
“We don’t want to stray away from competition because that will show good in our conference play,” Hannon said. “It’s all in preparation for a conference run, we hope that playing better teams gets us ready.”
Although the Wildcats have not yet had the chance to prove it within the conference, the team believes they are making progress. So far this season, the ‘Cats have been supported primarily by their pitching and defense.
“We’ve been able to win games with two runs, even one run. It is going to make things a lot easier on your offense,” senior Steven Stewart said. “Even though we aren’t hot offensively right now, I think that will definitely come around.”
In over 35 innings pitched, the starting duo of seniors Nathan Wheelock and Chris Cummins has secured an ERA under 2.00.<br/>
“We know that (Cummins) and Wheelock are going to fill up the zone which is going to result in a lot of pop flies and a lot of ground balls,” junior Chase Dengel said. “We know they are always going to be in the zone, which means they are not going to walk a lot of people. We have to be in the game at all times.”
In the three-game stretch Friday and Saturday, BU hosted Mount Mercy University and Trinity International University at Sauder Field.
The Wildcats won over Mount Mercy 1-0 Friday in a 10-inning game. Cummins went seven innings and was relieved by sophomore James Gricol. In the 10th inning, senior Joey Orozco knocked in a run on a sacrifice fly ball, giving the Wildcats the win.<br/>
Baker returned to Sauder Field Saturday to split a pair of contests against Trinity International. The Wildcats dropped game one 2-0, but bounced back to win game two 3-2. In the second game, the Wildcats showed some late-inning fireworks again. Stewart batted in senior Matt Abel to tie the game at 2-2. Junior Bryan Kindle followed Stewart with a drive through the infield. The hit scored Stewart and gave the Wildcats their second walk-off in two days.
BU is 6-7 overall going into the weekend. The Wildcats will take on the University of St. Mary Saturday in Leavenworth for a doubleheader. The two teams will then travel Sunday to play two more games at Sauder Field.
Baker then hosts Ottawa University Tuesday at Sauder Field before beginning conference play against Central Methodist University March 17 in Fayette, Mo.
