KWU Athletics
The first game of Kansas Wesleyan's final home series of the season got off to a frustrating start with a 5-2 Kansas Conference loss to Saint Mary on Friday at Dean Evans Stadium.
The Coyotes outhit the Spires 9-3 and stranded nine baserunners – six in the first three innings. KWU left two runners on in the first, second and third innings each.
Saint Mary did the bulk of its damage in the third inning against Coyote starter Trent Dewyer (JR/Albuquerque, N.M.) scoring four runs on two hits, two walks a hit batter and an error.
The Spires scored their fifth run in the fourth inning on a hit, walk and error but were hitless and had just one base runner from the fifth inning on.
Saint Mary starter Drake Pingel (5-4) went the distance, throwing a whopping 140 pitches in the process. He struck out nine, walked three and hit a batter.
The Coyotes (24-22 overall, 12-12 KCAC) scored both of their runs in the eighth inning. Jalen Jones (SO/Katy, Texas) led off with a single and two batters later Zach Olson (SO/Red, Alberta) belted a two-run homer over the right field fence – his fourth home run of the season.
Olson, Dustin Sipe (JR/Aztec, N.M.) and Josh Sandoval (SR/Glendale, Ariz.) had two hits apiece for Wesleyan. Haydn Brown (SR/Gardnerville, Nev.) was on base three times with three walks.
Dewyer (3-7) pitched 5.2 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits with six strikeouts, four walks and a batter. Spencer Foley (JR/Lancaster, Calif.) pitched the final 3.1 innings and didn't allow a hit while striking out six and walking one.
The three-game series concludes Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Evans Stadium.
The Coyotes' final seven regular-season games are on the road starting with a single game Tuesday at York. They travel to Lindsborg for a three-game series against arch-rival Bethany next weekend starting with a single contest April 22 followed by a doubleheader April 23.