Box Score Photo Gallery
DETROIT -- The Wayne State University baseball team (26-10, 14-6 GLIAC) saw it's program record 10-game winning streak come to an end on Thursday evening as Ohio Dominican (21-15, 11-10 GLIAC) took the series opener 4-3. The Warriors chipped away at the lead with runs in the first, fifth and seventh innings but the Panthers were able to hold on for the victory.
The game began with a throwing error charged to shortstop
Jeremy Carrell (St. Clair, Mich.) which led to three unearned runs in the inning off starter
Brandyn Hall (Sylvania, Ohio / Northview) (3-1). The Panthers had two hits in the frame and also benefited from a balk call to plate the inning's first run.
The Green & Gold put a run on the board in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single from
Kyle Zimmerman (Frankfort, Mich.) down the right field line.
Hall settled in before walking back-to-back Panthers in the top of the fourth inning forcing the Warriors to go to their bullpen in the form of
Jimmy Jackson (Battle Creek, Mich. / Pennfield). Jackson allowed an RBI single to Dylan West to extend ODU's lead to 4-1.
Zimmerman trimmed the visitors' lead to 4-2 with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the fifth inning after singles from
Cole Clifton (Sterling Heights. Mich. / De La Salle) and
Eric Cunningham (LaSalle, Ont. / St. Thomas of Villanova).
Clifton collected a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning to force ODU's starter Alberto Canales (3-2) to exit the game. The Warriors pulled within a run on a
Cameron Walker (Clinton Twp., Mich. / De La Salle) RBI single into center field.
Jackson delivered a shutdown inning in the top of the eighth inning. WSU put two runners on in the bottom of the eighth inning but a 6-4-3 groundball double play would end the threat.
Ian Huss delivered a pinch-hit double after a two-out walk but a strong relay starting with center fielder
Griffin Harms (Bingham Farms, Mich. / Birmingham Groves) to Zimmerman to catcher
Zach Johnson (Grandville, Mich) cut down the runner at home to keep the deficit at one, 4-3, entering the bottom of the ninth inning.
Clifton began the inning by drawing a four-pitch walk. The Panthers' closer, Vince Bartolone, was then summoned from the bullpen. Cunningham lined out sharply to center field before Zimmerman grounded into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.
Bartolone collected his seventh save of the season for his efforts.
WSU will travel to Columbus, Ohio to finish the series with the Panthers with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.
