QUINCY, Ill. -- The 2023 season came to an end for the Wayne State University baseball team (42-13 overall) on Thursday at the NCAA Midwest Regional. The fourth-seeded Warriors fell to fifth-seeded Northwood (42-17), 13-11, before being eliminated by top-seeded Quincy (45-9), 18-8. This edition of WSU baseball won both the GLIAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships while breaking the school record for wins in a single campaign.
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"Today was a challenge for us, but one day doesn't define this team," said head coach,
Ryan Kelley. "This group accomplished tremendous success on and off the field. Winning the GLIAC Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championships, driving home 42 overall victories, executing a 3.47 cumulative grade point average, raising $126,000 towards cancer initiatives, volunteering an approximate 1,000 community service hours, contributing financial donations to youth education, and so on, are amazing accomplishments this significant group produced. Our senior class delivered outstanding leadership through their entire NCAA careers with our program. Our returning student-athletes have great examples to learn from moving forward. We won together and we lost together. Today did not go our way, but our coaching staff and I are extremely proud of this team. Thank you, Warriors."
GAME ONE RECAP
A back-and-forth affair that saw a combined four ties, five lead changes, 24 runs scored, and 31 hits.
Wayne State was ahead by one, 11-10, with one out to get in the top of the ninth inning before Northwood hit a two-run home run followed by a solo shot to take the lead for good.
The loss marked the Warriors' first this season when scoring 10 or more runs (12-1).
At the plate for WSU, a quartet of players registered multiple hits including
CJ Maury (Brampton, Ont. / Mayfield SS) with four (4-for-5),
Hunter DeLanoy (Hartland, Mich.) with three (3-for-5),
Chris Tanderys (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson) with two (2-for-5), and
Noah Miller (Macomb, Mich. / University Liggett) with two (2-for-4).
Pitching wise,
Karter Fitzpatrick (Monroe, Mich. / Carleton Airport),
Ashton Potts (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) and
Brennan Cox (Taylor, Mich. / Riverview Gabriel Richard) each saw time for Wayne State.
GAME TWO RECAP
Wayne State jumped out to a 6-0 advantage in the top of the second before Quincy stormed back to outscore the Warriors 18-2 the rest of the way.
Five WSU batters garnered 2+ base knocks including
Rudy Ramirez (Brighton, Mich.) with three (3-for-5),
Ryan Foley (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Saline) with two (2-for-6), DeLanoy with two (2-for-4),
Brett Zimmerman (Frankfort, Mich.) with two (2-for-4), and Miller with two (2-for-4).
On the mound, Wayne State's arms included
Ryan Korolden (Yale, Mich.),
Seth Marano (Canton, Mich.),
Chad Sommers (Jonesville, Mich.), and
Griffin Kilander (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson).
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