WAYNE, Neb. – The University of Jamestown baseball team closed out its season with a 7-4 loss to Wayne State College on Saturday afternoon at the Pete Chapman Complex.
The Jimmies (13-36, 8-28 NSIC) grabbed an early lead, but a five-run second inning by the Wildcats (29-21, 21-16 NSIC) proved to be the difference.
Game Summary
Jamestown opened the scoring in the top of the first inning.
Mathieu Morin was hit by a pitch, and
Jett Nelson drew a walk to put two runners on base.
Melvin Maldonado ripped an RBI double to right-center to bring Morin home, and
Ben Swennumson followed with an RBI groundout to score Nelson, giving the Jimmies a 2-0 advantage.
Wayne State answered with a run in the bottom half of the first on an RBI groundout by Cam Madsen.
The Wildcats then took control of the game with a massive five-run surge in the bottom of the second inning. Braden Cannon tied the game with an RBI single up the middle, and Noah Strizek hit a sacrifice fly to give Wayne State the lead. The inning continued with an RBI single from Madsen, an RBI triple to left-center by Gabe Monosmith, and an RBI single from Nate Cunningham, pushing the Wildcats' advantage to 6-2.
The Jimmies chipped away at the deficit in the later innings. In the top of the sixth, Maldonado singled to right field and later scored on an RBI single through the left side by pinch-hitter
Frankie Malagon.
Jamestown struck again in the top of the seventh. Pinch-hitter
Mason Shea walked and advanced to second on a single by
Jacob Thomas. Maldonado then laced his second double of the game down the left-field line to score Shea, bringing the Jimmies within two runs at 6-4.
Wayne State added a final insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch-runner Brayden Chaney stole third base and scored on a throwing error to finalize the score at 7-4.
Top Performers
- Melvin Maldonado (UJ): 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R
- Jacob Thomas (UJ): 2-for-5
- Frankie Malagon (UJ): 1-for-1, RBI
- Gabe Monosmith (WSC): 3-for-4, 3B, 2B, RBI, R
- Nate Cunningham (WSC): 2-for-3, RBI, 3 SB
- Cam Madsen (WSC): 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 R
Pitching Lines
Kai Mayfield (0-1) took the loss for Jamestown, allowing five runs on six hits over 1 2/3 innings of work.
Ben Patton provided strong relief, yielding just one run on three hits over 3 2/3 innings.
Beckett Stimpson,
Grayson Sargent, and
Ryan Morales also made appearances out of the Jimmie bullpen to keep the game close.
Clement Febus (2-2) earned the win for Wayne State, allowing three runs on three hits over six innings. Braden Cannon pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing two hits but striking out one to secure his 10th save of the season.
