Baseball Picks Up First Win of NAIA Opening Round Lincoln Bracket

Baseball played an elimination game on Tuesday morning as they took on St. Francis (Ill.) in the Lincoln Bracket. The Tigers led from start to finish in a 10-4 victory.

Doane jumped on the board in the top of the third inning on a solo home run by Nate Mensik. In the fourth, Dane Kelsey singled to drive in Justin Nevells for a 2-0 lead. The Fighting Saints were able to get on the board in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly.

The Tigers extended their lead with a pinch hit home run from Noah Winkelman in the seventh inning. St. Francis countered with a solo home run of their own in the bottom of the inning.

In the eighth inning, Doane extended their lead with two runs. Kelsey doubled to drive in Max Harris. Mensik followed with an RBI-single to plate pinch runner Luke LaChance. The Fighting Saints were able to get both runs back with a two-run home run, leaving Doane in front, 5-4.

In the ninth inning, errors and walks allowed Doane to plate five runs without a hit. Nevells drew a bases loaded walk. Narumi Okayasu scored on a throwing error and Joe Osborn crossed the plate on a wild pitch. Nevells scored on a fielder's choice and LaChance scored on a throwing error to cap the scoring.

The Tigers finished with 12 hits in the game with three apiece coming from Logan Amick and Kelsey. Nevells and LaChance each scored two runs while Kelsey and Mensik had two RBI apiece.

Aaron Forrest threw 7.1 innings to pick up his 11th win of the season. He allowed four runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out five. Ethan Merk picked up his fourth save, throwing 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and striking out one.

Doane will take on Mount Mercy (Iowa) in another elimination game at 6 PM on Tuesday in Lincoln.