Win Streak Snapped as Baseball Falls in Opener to Lancers

YANKTON, S.D. - Doane baseball dropped the opener of Saturday's GPAC doubleheader at Mount Marty, falling 5-0.

The Tigers were limited to six hits in the seven-inning contest, though Carter Roth continued his strong season at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance. Roth doubled to open the game and later added two singles, while Jordan Bond also doubled and Max Harris and Jett Grossart each recorded a hit.

Doane threatened early when Roth reached second to begin the first inning, but Mount Marty starter Kaden Harris worked out of trouble and helped keep the Tigers off the scoreboard. Harris earned the win after tossing four shutout innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three. Tony Suarez closed the door over the final three innings for the save.

Mount Marty struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Jalen Owens singled, moved into scoring position, and later came home on an RBI groundout from Cooper Mlnarik to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead.

The Lancers added another run in the third. Corbett Freeman was hit by a pitch, advanced around the bases, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Daniel Vonnegut to stretch the lead to 2-0.

Doane had one of its best chances in the fourth when Bond doubled and Max Harris drew a walk, but Mount Marty escaped the inning without damage.

Mount Marty then broke the game open in the fifth. After Gio Galvan singled and Willis Robertson entered as a pinch runner, the Lancers pieced together three runs on RBI singles from Tyler Vance and Owens, followed by a two-run double from Mlnarik to make it 5-0.

Kaden Crawford took the loss for Doane despite some solid stretches on the mound. He went five innings and allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out one. Broc Songster provided a clean final inning in relief, retiring all three batters he faced.

Mlnarik finished with three RBI for Mount Marty, while Owens scored twice and went 3-for-3 with an RBI.

Doane mounted one final threat in the seventh after Sam Kwapnioski walked and both Grossart and Roth singled to load the bases with two outs, but the Lancers were able to record the final out and preserve the shutout.

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