Quick Start Lifts Baseball in Game One with Midland

CRETE, Neb. - Doane Baseball opened Sunday's doubleheader with an 8-0 GPAC win over Midland at the Doane Ballfield Complex in Crete.

The Tigers struck quickly in the bottom of the first. Grant Sommers and Tanner Nelson opened the rally with singles before Sam Kwapnioski launched a three-run homer to left field, giving Doane an early 3-0 advantage.

Doane added to the lead in the third inning. Nelson singled and pinch runner Thaden Wewel would come around to score alongside Kwapnioski when Jordan Bond ripped a two-out double to left center, pushing the Tigers in front 5-0.

The Tigers made it 6-0 in the fourth when Carter Roth connected on a solo home run to left center. Doane tacked on two more runs in the sixth after Sommers singled, Kwapnioski delivered an RBI single, and Adam Vulcano followed with an RBI double.

Kwapnioski led the offense by going 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored. Bond finished 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBI, while Nelson went 3-for-4. Sommers added two hits and scored twice as Doane totaled 12 hits in the win.

On the mound, Gabe Rodriguez was sharp for the Tigers. He worked six scoreless innings, allowing six hits with one walk and two strikeouts to improve to 6-1 on the season. Carter Baete closed out the shutout with a scoreless seventh inning.

Midland put together seven hits in the game, with Jimmy Martinez and Jax Sorensen each collecting two, but Doane's pitching staff kept the Warriors from cashing in. Midland left seven runners on base and was turned away in each of its scoring chances.

(generated by ChatGPT)