Coyotes split KCAC opener with Saint Mary
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Dave Dawson faced his former team, the University of Saint Mary, in Kansas Wesleyan’s KCAC opener on Wednesday evening at Dean Evans Stadium. The Coyotes managed to split with the Spires, 9-5 and 3-1 in the double header.

Game one saw the Coyotes get on the board with a run in the first and two more in the second. Darell Grames scored the first run, on a bases loaded walk by Travis L’Homedieu. Andrew Gulla drove in both runs in the second with a double to right center.

Saint Mary came back and grabbed the lead scoring four in the top of the third. Morgan Johann started things off with a single, and moved to third on a double by Joe Juarez. Cody Newman then doubled to left scoring Juarez. Colin Aldrich singled down the right field line allowing Johann to score. Michael Evans and Larry Meraz both singled allowing Matt Parmallee, who was running for Newman and Aldrich to score for the Spires. Evans was then picked off when he was trying to move to third on the play.

The Coyotes responded, scoring six unanswered over the next three frames to take a 9-4 lead after six. Saint Mary added a run in the top of the seventh as Cory Garven scored on a single by Jack Cunningham after reaching on an error by KWU’s Sean Zuniga.

A.J. Anthony went seven innings for the complete game win. He allowed five runs on 11 hits, four of them earned. He also struck out five while only walking two. Derek Allison took the loss for Saint Mary, giving up six runs on seven hits, all earned. He also walked six and struck out nine.

Game two was a wild, low-scoring affair, as both teams combined for nine errors.

The Spires scored two in the top of the fourth as Garven reached on a Zuniga error. After a walk by Cunningham, Zuniga misplayed a routine ground ball allowing Garven to score. Cunningham then came around to score as Evans stole second.

Saint Mary added another run in the top of the fifth as Juarez scored on an infield single by Garven.

The Coyotes got on the board in the bottom of the sixth as Matt Garretson reached on an error by Juarez. Anthony doubled deep to right center allowing Garretson to score before L’Homedieu lined out to end the inning.

After a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, the Coyotes appeared to be in business as Trevor Howell doubled down the left field line, but could not advance as Kyle Dillehay and Adam Carroll both struck out to end the game.

Guy McGriff took the loss for the Coyotes, pitching five innings, giving up three runs, only one earned on two hits. He walked four and struck out six. Brandon Dye took the win for Saint Mary scattering one hit over five innings, while striking out six and walking none.

The Coyotes are now 9-16 overall and 1-1 in the KCAC. The Coyotes are in action again on Saturday, as they take on the Bethany Swedes in Lindsborg beginning at 1:00 PM. The Coyotes return home next Tuesday to take on Colorado School of Mines in a 1:00 double-header.

-- KWU SI --