Park knocks off Kansas Wesleyan 7-2
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

HUTCHINSON – Park University got a solid pitching performance from starter Chris Luera, as he held Kansas Wesleyan to two hits through seven innings as the Pirates recorded a 7-2 win over the Coyotes in the NAIA Region IV Tournament at Hobart-Detter Field.

Wesleyan looked to set up a scoring chance in the first when leadoff hitter Darell Grames was hit by a pitch, and Brandon Mathes laid down a bunt. However, the first base umpire called both Grames and Mathes out, saying that Grames interfered with second baseman Pete Peters’ fielding chance, as he fell back and threw the ball into left field. Mike Pettibone then walked and stole second, but Russell Skeete struck out to end the inning.

Park left the bases loaded in the first thanks to two one-out singles from Ryan Weedin and Jesse Kearns and a two out walk to Nick Kouratou. Brandon Skelton then grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Brett Gordon led off the Park second with a walk, but was out on a fielder’s choice. Peters then reached on a walk, but Kearns’ grounded into an inning-ending double play to end the inning.

Wesleyan had another chance in the third, but could not get a run across. Dan Herrle led off the inning with a walk, and moved to second on a sac bunt from Kyle Hook. After Grames popped out on a bunt, Mathes walked, but Pettibone struck out to end the threat.

Park (28-16) got on the board first in the third when Gordon singled home Chris Evans with two outs, who led off the inning reaching on an error.

The Pirates left the bases loaded a second time in the fifth. Gordon reached on a hit with two outs followed by a walk to Jordan Henderson and a Peters single. Ryan Weeden would ground out to Coyote pitcher Shaun Sumter to end the inning.

Luera held Wesleyan hitless through five and a third innings when Brandon Mathes would beat out a ball hit to first. Pettibone would strike out, and Mathes would be picked off on a steal attempt to end the inning.

Park opened things up in the sixth with three runs. Kearns led off the inning with a single and moved to second on an error by Ronny Romo tossing the ball to first on the bunt. Evans then singled to score Kearns. Ryan Fawks would be hit by a pitch before Kouratou would move the runners into scoring position with a sac bunt. Skelton followed with a single scoring two runs, and chasing Sumter from the hill. Jeremy New would relieve Sumter and get Gordon to fly out, but gave up a single to Henderson. Pinch runner Ryan Duede would be thrown out at third to end the inning.

The Pirates added two more in the seventh when Evans hit a two-run, one-out double that scored Kearns and Peters.

Wesleyan (31-17) got on the board in the eighth off Park reliever Jeff Hall. Pinch hitter Nick Allaire singled to lead off the frame, followed by a single from Hook. Grames then reached on a fielder’s choice, but all runners were safe when Hall’s throw to second would sail into center field. Mathes drove in the first run on a sac fly to left and after a Pettibone single loaded the bases, Skeete was hit by a pitch to drive in the second run. Brad Lewandowski would relieve Hall, and Romo would ground into an inning-ending double play.

Luera got the win for Park, pitching seven innings, allowing just two hits while walking three and striking out ten. Hall recorded one out, giving up two runs on three hits and Lewandowski got the save pitching an inning and two thirds. Park’s two and three hitters, Kearns and Evans, combined for four hits and four RBIs, while Peters added three hits as the Pirates hammered out 13 hits.

Sumter took the loss for the Coyotes, pitching five and a third innings, giving up five runs on ten hits, while walking four and striking out two. New finished the game giving up two runs on three hits, while striking out three.

Wesleyan falls into the loser’s bracket and faces Bellevue in the game immediately following, while Park will face Bethany at approximately 6:30 tonight in the tournament semi-finals.

-- NAIA --