Baseball Wins in Wild Walk-off Fashion

Baseball closed out their first day of action in McPherson, Kansas, with a walk-off victory over Missouri Valley, 6-5 in nine innings.

Doane took the early lead in game two with a two-run double by Johnny Vulcano in the bottom of the first inning. Isaiah Miller started on the mound for the Tigers and dominated the first two innings, striking out five of the first seven batters he faced. However, he ran into trouble in the third inning as the Vikings plated four runs to take the lead.

The Tigers scored a run in the bottom of the fifth on a throwing error that allowed Max Harris to score from third base. However, Missouri Valley picked up a run in the top of the sixth on a two-out single to take a 5-3 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Vikings went to their bullpen and the Tigers were able to attack. Sam Kwapnioski doubled with one out in the inning and Richard Reding entered as a pinch runner. Taiyo Takahashi followed with a two-run home run to tie the game, his first as a Tiger in 24 career at-bats.

The Vikings threatened to score in the seventh inning but Logan Amick threw a runner out at the plate to preserve the tie. Doane left two runners on base in the bottom of the inning. The Tigers threatened again in the eighth with a leadoff double but left the winning run at third base. Missouri Valley put two runners on base in the ninth, only to go scoreless as Doane turned a double play to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, Brayden Jones started the inning with a double. Gage Ryba entered as a pinch runner and moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt. Following two intentional walks to load the bases, Reding stepped to the plate. He saw one pitch, and it went to the back stop to allow Ryba to score the winning run.

Miller finished with 2.0 innings, allowing three runs on four walks with five strikeouts. Ethan Merk threw 3.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out six. Cade Bridges posted 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out three. Nicolas Yard threw 1.0 scoreless inning, allowing one walk, to pick up his first win. Tiger pitching combined for 14 strikeouts in the game.

Doane had 11 hits in the game as Amick, Kwapnioski, and Takahashi had two hits apiece. Six different players scored a run in the game while Vulcano and Takahashi led the way with two RBI apiece.

The Tigers and Vikings will play another doubleheader on Monday in McPherson, Kansas, with first pitch scheduled for 12:15 PM.