Coyotes split with Friends
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Dustin Romero (1) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during game one of KWU's doubleheader with Friends on Wednesday

Kansas Wesleyan rallied from a 4-2 deficit in game one, but saw Friends use a four run rally to split the double header as Wesleyan won game one 6-4, but dropped the night cap 6-3 on Wednesday night at Evan Stadium.

Back to back singles by Matt Garretson and Stephen Cilladi to go along with a pass ball set up Wesleyan first run in the bottom of the first. Carlos Sanchez grounded out to third, allowing Garretson to score.

The Coyotes had a chance to add a another run as a wild pitch by Friends starter Josh Tucker moved pinch runner Sean Kenney to third, but Andrew Masojc flew out to deep center to end the inning.

Friends tied things up in the top of the second, using a leadoff single by Ryan Pinkall and another single by Lane Wolfer two batters later to score Steve Qualls who was courtesy running for Pinkall.

The Falcons grabbed the lead in the top of the third when Seth Beason hit a sacrifice fly scoring Joel Bogucki who singled to lead off the inning.

Wesleyan answered Friends in the bottom half of the third with a single run when Friends pitcher Josh Tucker balked home Dustin Romero who had earlier singled.

Friends regained the lead in the top of the fifth when Beason knocked home his second and third RBIs of the night thanks to a line drive two-run homer to right center. Pinkall followed Beason’s shot with a double, but could get no closer than third as three straight ground outs ended the frame.
 
Wesleyan turned on the offensive firepower in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four times and taking a 6-4 lead. Sanchez led off the inning with a double and would score on a single by Sean Kenney. Andrew Masojc also scored on the play when Falcon centerfielder Joe McCray misplayed the ball.  Paul Bridenbaugh then singled home Chad Petersen, but Kenney was thrown out at the plate. Kade McAllister came in to pinch run for Bridenbaugh and would score on a single by Garretson.

Masojc pitched the seventh for the save as Mike Ponsolle grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

Byron grabbed the win for Wesleyan, going six innings allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking two. Josh Tucker took the loss for Friends, giving up six runs, three earned, on ten hits.

Game two saw a four-run fifth by Friends hold as the Falcons salvaged the doubleheader split.

Beason homered in the first giving Friends the early lead 1-0.

Wesleyan answered with single runs in both the second and third, as Sanchez scored following a lead-off triple in the second, on a single by Guy McGriff after Masojc reached after being hit. The Coyotes scored in the third on a single by Masojc and had a chance to add more runs with the bases loaded when Petersen popped out to center to end the threat.

Joe Thibault would score after leading off the Friends fourth with a single on a passed ball, but Friends could do no more damage in the frame.

The Falcons then exploded in the fifth taking a 6-2 lead. After Jeff Finlay struck out, two singles and a walk loaded the bases when Bogucki was hit by a pitch driving in the first run. A Thibault single scored Wolfer, and forced a pitching change for the Coyotes. Sean Sumter gave up a single to Beason, driving in a pair before Pinkall would ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Coyotes had a chance to add a run in the sixth as they had a runner of third with one out, but could not capitalize.

Wesleyan also had an opportunity in the seventh to rally, but came up short. Romero led off the frame with a single, Garretson would walk and both runners would move up on a passed ball. Cilladi struck out before Sanchez walked to load the bases. After a Masojc pop out, McGriff singled home Romero, but the Coyotes could not add any more runs as a strike out ended the Coyote rally.

Brian Dobyns took the loss for Wesleyan (16-23, 10-8) giving up six runs on just five hits while striking out three. Matt Braumberger got the win for Friends (25-16, 14-6) pitching six and a third innings giving up three runs on five hits.

Guy McGriff led the Coyotes with four hits on the day, three in the second game. Thibault had four hits for Friends two in each game to lead the Falcons.

Wesleyan hits the diamond for a fourth consecutive day as they travel to Manhattan Christian on Thursday.

-- KWU SI --