Box Score
Box Score
DETROIT -- Kyle Zimmerman (2-2) led Wayne State (16-10, 7-4) to its first three-game sweep of the season with a 1-0 win over Malone (9-16, 2-10) on Wednesday afternoon. Zimmerman struck out 12 hitters in his 8.0 innings, which is the most since Brady Cooper at Tiffin on April 18, 2010. On the homestand, Wayne State went 5-3.
The Warriors loaded the bases in the second but were unable to plate any runs. Malone stranded two runners in the fourth inning after a single from Bob Suitca and a walk issued to Michael Chack. Zimmerman struck out back-to-back hitters to end the threat.
The Green & Gold tallied its run in the fourth inning on a fielding error charged to Malone's shortstop.
Kasey Koster was plunked to begin the inning and
Eric Cunningham advanced Koster with a sacrifice bunt. Koster then reached third and scored on the aforementioned error.
The Pioneers threatened again in the fifth after a Keanan Locke single and a sacrifice bunt put a runner in scoring position. However, Zimmerman was able to add another zero to the line score with a strikeout and fly out to left field.
Wayne State could not add on to its narrow lead in the fifth and sixth innings as they stranded two runners in each inning.
Zimmerman tossed a perfect sixth and worked around a single and throwing error in the seventh to keep the shutout intact. Malone looked to even the score in the eighth inning. Hayden Mobley doubled to left center with one out and Suitca followed with a single up the middle. Mobley stumbled over third base and was forced to retreat to the bag. A 4-6-3 double play would end the inning and keep Wayne State ahead, 1-0.
Eric Cunningham doubled down the left field line to begin the eighth inning and
Jimmy Jackson moved Cunningham to third with a sacrifice bunt before Jesse Coblentz was able to get the next two hitters to end the inning.
Clayton Ruch entered to pitch the ninth inning and make his third appearance in as many games. Malone grounded out to
Kenny Davis at shortstop to begin the final inning. Ruch walked Tyler Eagon before Rich Mast grounded into a 4-6-4 double play to end the game and give Ruch his GLIAC-leading seventh save of the season.
The Warriors will travel to Midland, Mich. for a three-game series at Northwood beginning with a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m.
