Baseball Drops Series Opener Against Wayne State Friday
DETROIT, Mich. — The Purdue University Northwest baseball team let a late lead slip away as the Pride dropped the opener of a four-game Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series against host Wayne State, 6-3, Friday.
PNW jumped on the scoreboard first in the top of the fourth inning after sophomore Kevin McCune (Munster, Ind./Andrean) hit an RBI-single up the middle which scored sophomore Hunter Thorn (Portage, Ind./Portage) from second.
Wayne State was able to answer and tie the game at 1 in the bottom half of the frame.
The Pride were able to rally for two more runs in the sixth inning to go ahead 3-1. After Thorn singled, freshman Ray Hilbrich (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) ripped a single which moved Thorn over to third and Hilbrich advanced to second on the throw then junior Brett Veltema (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) singled to right field which scored the runners from third and second.
The Warriors broke through in the bottom of the seventh inning with five runs. After starting pitcher Kyle Flessner loaded the bases he was taken out for junior Caden Bell (Hammond, Ind./HAST) and the inning unraveled.
Flessner took the loss on the mound (1-2), after throwing six innings, scattering five hits, allowing four runs (all earned), issued two walks and 10 strikeouts. The senior did not issue a walk the first six innings.
PNW returns to action Saturday, April 6 as the Pride and Wayne State continue their series as the two have a double-header starting at noon CT.
