Baseball Sweeps Mount Marty for First Time Since 2014

Baseball was finally able to get conference play started after this past weekend's games were postponed due to weather and field conditions. The Tigers traveled to Yankton, S.D., to take on Mount Marty in an afternoon doubleheader. The Lancers are receiving votes in the latest NAIA poll. Doane jumped out in both games but had to rally in the opener and then hold off the Lancers in the nightcap to pick up a sweep, 8-7 and 9-6. The sweep marked the first over Mount Marty since 2014.

Game One
Narumi Okayasu hit a solo home run and Brayden Jones followed with a two-run home run to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Logan Amick added a two-run home run in the second inning to push the Doane lead to 5-0.

Mount Marty cut into the lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the second and an RBI-double in the third, leaving the Tigers in front, 5-3. Doane maintained the lead until the sixth inning. In the bottom of the frame, the Lancers scored four runs to take a 7-5 lead heading into the final inning. 

Amick opened the seventh inning with a single, and with one out Joe Osborn smacked a two-run home run to tie the game. Jones then drew a walk and was pinch run for by Isaiah Miller. Noah Winkelman followed with an RBI-double to plate Miller to put the Tigers in front. In the bottom of the seventh, the Lancers had two runners on with one out but the Doane defense turned a double play to end the game.

Aaron Forrest threw 5.0 innings for the Tigers, allowing six runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Ethan Merk picked up the win with 1.0 inning, allowing one run on two hits and two strikeouts. Kyler Beekman recorded the save in 1.0 inning, allowing one hit, one walk, and striking out one.

Amick finished 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI while Okayasu was 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Winkelman finished 2-for-2 after entering as a pinch hitter with one RBI.

Game Two
Osborn stayed hot for the Tigers as he started the second game with a three-run home run in the first inning. In the second inning, Amick had an RBI-double and Okayasu added a sacrifice fly for a 5-0 lead. Osborn followed with his third straight at-bat with a home run, a two-run shot for a 7-0 lead.

Mount Marty came back with six runs in the third inning to pull within a run, 7-6. Neither team would score until the sixth inning when Okayasu delivered an RBI-double. In the seventh inning, Dionysius Chialtas added an RBI-double for the final scoring.

Kaden Crawford started for the Tigers and threw 2.0-plus innings, allowing six runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two. Raidyn Steele picked up the win, going 5.0 innings and allowing four hits while striking out three.

Osborn finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored and five RBI. He was intentionally walked in his final two plate appearances. Amick was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and a RBI. Okayasu was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI. Nate Mensik was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Chialtas was 2-for-2 after entering defensively with two doubles and a RBI.

Next up for the Tigers is a four-game series with Hastings. The first game is currently scheduled for Saturday, March 23, at 1 PM in Crete, however, the weather forecast may force changes. Stay tuned to the team's schedule page for potential changes.