Baseball Completes Perfect Weekend at Rube Foster Classic

Doane Baseball closed out the Rube Foster Classic on Sunday with a pair of games in Kansas City. The Tigers defeated (RV) Columbia, 2-1, and Baker, 6-0.

In the opener, pitching was on display between two teams looking to crack the NAIA Top 25 when the next poll comes out on March 8. The game was scoreless through three innings. Columbia was able to get on the board first with a two-out RBI-single in the 4th inning.

The Tigers came back in the bottom of the 5th to tie the game as James Griess picked up a two-out single to drive in Logan Amick. 

In the 6th inning, Columbia threatened to regain the lead as they put two runners on base with one out. Kyler Beekman entered the game and recorded a pair of outs to keep the score tied, 1-1.

In the bottom of the 6th, Lukas White led off with a solo home run, which would prove to be the winning hit. Beekman shut the Cougars down in order in the 7th inning to close out the Tiger win.

Beekman received the victory as he threw 1.2 hitless innings, striking out one. Kaden Crawford started for the Tigers and went 5.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits with three strikeouts.

At the plate, Doane collected eight hits. White was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Jack Tillman added two hits as well.

In the final game of the weekend, the Tigers received another strong pitching performance. Haldon Craig made his first Doane start and went 5.0-plus innings, allowing one hit and striking out three to pick up the win. Raidyn Steele entered the game with two runners on and no outs in the 6th inning. He picked up a strikeout and a lineout double play to end the inning. He finished with 2.0 innings pitched to close out the game.

Doane's first run of the game came as Brett Meyer scored on a wild pitch in the 3rd inning. Joe Osborn had an RBI-single in the 5th inning followed by a sacrifice fly by White to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead. In the 6th inning, Doane plated two runs. Nate Mensik stole third base and scored on a throwing error. Narumi Okayasu added a sacrifice fly for a 5-0 lead. The final run was scored in the 7th inning on a Justin Nevells RBI-double.

The Tigers had six hits in the game, two apiece from Osborn and Nevells. The team had four doubles in the game.

Next up for the Tigers is a four-game series at Park (Mo.) on March 4-5. First pitch is scheduled for noon on both days.