Baseball Opens Weekend Series with Two Wins

Baseball hosted (RV) Morningside on Saturday morning to start a four-game weekend series. The series has been tabbed the NAIABall Big Series of the Week presented by Sho-Me Collegiate League. The first game of the morning doubleheader was a pitcher's dual while Doane broke game two open midway through to pick up a sweep of the Mustangs. The Tigers took the opener, 4-3, and the nightcap, 12-5. The two wins clinched at least a tie for the GPAC regular season crown.

Morningside scored the first run of the opening game on an error in the first inning. Doane came back with a run in the second inning to tie the game. Dane Kelsey hit a double to plate Narumi Okayasu from first base.

In the fifth inning, Doane took the lead on a two-run home run by Joe Osborn to center field. The Mustangs pulled back within a run, 3-2, following an RBI-single in the sixth inning. The Tigers were able to get the run back in the bottom of the sixth on a solo home run by Okayasu. Morningside plated a run in the top of the seventh but stranded the tying run at third base as the game ended.

Aaron Forrest started for the Tigers and threw a complete game to improve to 9-0. He allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits (all singles) while striking out six. He picked up his 300th career strikeout in the game, becoming just the second player in GPAC history to hit the milestone.

Doane finished the game with six hits from six different players. Okayasu led the team with two runs scored while Osborn led the way with two RBI.

In the second game, Morningside once again scored first. The Mustangs had a two-run home run in the third inning. Doane took the lead in the bottom of the third with three runs. Justin Nevells had an infield single with the bases loaded to plate a run. Aaron Vulcano followed with a two-run double to put the Tigers in front, 3-2.

Morningside regained the lead in the sixth inning with two runs only to have the Tigers answer with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Following three walks to start the inning, Nevells singled to plate two runs to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead. Luke LaChance followed with an RBI-single for a 6-4 lead. An error allowed the seventh run of the game to score for Doane. The Tigers doubled up the Mustangs following a wild pitch to plate a run.

In the seventh inning, the Mustangs picked up their final run on an RBI-single. Doane answered with a run scoring on a double play in the bottom of the seventh. In the eighth inning, Noah Winkelman reached on a fielder's choice to plate the first run of the inning. Logan Amick doubled to plate a run and came around to score on a single by Osborn to account for the final two runs of the game.

Kellan Voggesser started for the Tigers and took a no-decision, going 5.0-plus innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out two. Ethan Merk picked up the win in relief, throwing 4.0 innings and allowing one run on four hits and a walk while striking out one.

The Tigers posted 15 hits in the game, four from Amick who went 4-for-4 with three runs scored. Picking up two hits apiece were Osborn, Nevells, Vulcano, and Mensik. Scoring two runs apiece in the game were Okayasu, Nevells, and Carson Baker. Nevells finished with three RBI and Vulcano had two.

Doane and Morningside will resume their series on Sunday at 2 PM in Lincoln at Den Hartog Field.