Baseball Wins Back-and-Forth Battle with Hastings

HASTINGS, Neb. – The Doane baseball team used an explosive offensive performance to power past Hastings, 13-9, in game one of a GPAC doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Duncan Field.

The Tigers wasted no time getting on the board, plating two runs in the top of the first inning behind an RBI double from Sam Kwapnioski. Hastings answered quickly with a four-run bottom half, but Doane responded with one of its biggest innings of the day in the second.

Doane erupted for four runs in the second inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Max Harris, Carter Roth, and Grant Sommers, along with a sacrifice fly from Tanner Nelson. The early offensive surge gave the Tigers a 6-4 advantage, though Hastings again countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead at 7-6. The Broncos added two runs in the fourth for a 9-6 lead.

The Tigers continued to apply pressure offensively, chipping away at Hastings with a two-run fifth inning. Brayden Jones delivered the biggest swing of the frame, launching a two-run home run to right field to pull Doane within a run.

Doane tied the game in the sixth before breaking the game open in the seventh inning. The Tigers scored four runs in the final frame, including a go-ahead two-run home run from Harris and an RBI double by Jones, to extend the lead to 13-9.

Offensively, Doane tallied 15 hits on the day. Jones led the way with a 3-for-4 performance that included a home run, double, and three RBI. Harris was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored. Roth and Sommers each added two hits, while the Tigers showed depth throughout the lineup.

On the mound, Kaden Crawford got the start, while Cade Bridges earned the win in relief. Bridges was effective over four innings, allowing just three hits while striking out five and shutting down Hastings after the fourth inning.

Hastings was led offensively by Peighton Vargas, who drove in five runs, but the Tigers bullpen and timely hitting proved to be the difference.

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