The special occasion wasn't too big for Kaden Sitzman (SR/McCook, Neb.).
Given the ball at the start of Kansas Wesleyan's second game against Southwestern on Saturday Sitzman didn't flinch despite everything going on – Senior Day, his last appearance at Dean Evans Stadium and the Coyotes badly needing to win after losing the opener.
Sitzman responded a with a complete game gem allowing four hits, striking out three and walking two in KWU's 5-1 Kansas Conference victory. Southwestern won the first game 11-0.
The Coyotes enter Sunday's regular season finale against Moundbuilders tied for third with McPherson at 22-10 in the conference standings – the 22 victories a single-season KWU record for conference wins. Wesleyan and McPherson play at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Great Bend in first round of the six-team KCAC tournament. Both KWU and McPherson are guaranteed either the 3 or 4 seed in the tournament.
Southwestern made things interesting in the seventh inning putting two runners on and one out but Sitzman ended the suspense and the game with a ground out and strikeout.
"I knew the guys would bounce back going into the next game," said Sitzman, who raised his record to 5-3. "I knew it was my last time out here at Dean, so I just tried to go out and make the most of it."
Sitzman said his breaking pitches served him well.