Kwapnioski Provides Walkoff Win on Senior Day

CRETE, Neb. – The Doane baseball team rallied late to complete the sweep of Midland with a 4-3 victory in game two on Sunday at the Doane Ballfield Complex.

Trailing 3-0 after four innings, the Tigers chipped away with single runs in each of the final four frames, capped by a walk-off RBI single from Sam Kwapnioski in the bottom of the ninth.

Midland struck first in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a pair of errors and a two-run double from Aidan Smith to take a 3-0 lead. 

The Tigers began their comeback in the sixth. After Tanner Nelson reached on a single and courtesy runner Thaden Wewel advanced into scoring position, Doane plated its first run on a Midland error to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Doane added another unearned run in the seventh when Carter Roth came around to score, trimming the lead to one. In the eighth, Johnny Vulcano reached and eventually scored on a throwing error, tying the game at 3-3.

The momentum carried into the ninth. Roth led off with a single and moved into scoring position before Kwapnioski delivered the game-winning hit through the left side to score Roth and secure the 4-3 victory.

Offensively, Doane was led by Roth, who finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while Nelson added three hits and an RBI. Kwapnioski recorded two hits, including the walk-off RBI, and Vulcano reached base twice and scored a run.

On the mound, Ethan Merk earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out two to keep the Tigers within striking distance.

With the win, Doane improved to 31-8 overall and 16-4 in GPAC play, completing the doubleheader sweep over Midland.

(generated by ChatGPT)