Team Huddle | Photo by Monica Brutto | The Wright State Guardian
The Wright State University men's baseball team returned home this past weekend for a three-game series against the Penguins of Youngstown State University. After getting swept by Milwaukee the previous weekend, the Raiders flipped the script and went on to sweep YSU.
Series opener
In the opening game, Sebastian Gongora took the mound for the Raiders. Gongora had a lot of support from the offense, as WSU scored seven runs in the first inning, one in the second inning, one in the sixth inning and two more in the eighth inning.
Sophomore Andrew Patrick tallied two home runs and contributed five RBIs. Sophomore Luke Arnold contributed two RBIs on one double. Junior Julian Greenwell, junior Jay Luikart, freshman Dane Thomas and sophomore Avery Fisher each added one RBI.
Gongora would throw seven and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs while recording nine strikeouts in a winning effort to move the pitcher’s personal record to 5-1 on the season.
WSU would finish the game by a final score of 11-6 to take the opening matchup against the Penguins.
Game two
On Saturday, WSU hosted the Penguins for a doubleheader due to inclement weather forecasted for Sunday.
Jake Shirk took the mound in the second game of the series, throwing six innings and giving up two runs while striking out four batters.
The Raiders took an early 1-0 lead in the third inning after Greenwell tallied an RBI on a personal first of three doubles on the day.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Penguins scored two runs to take a 2-1 lead. YSU would go on to add another run in the eighth inning, going up 3-1.
WSU had many opportunities throughout the game to score runs but failed to get crucial runs across the plate. WSU left seven runners stranded on base.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, WSU mounted a game-winning comeback after sophomore Boston Smith hit a double that scored two runs. The Raiders ended the game and won the series on an electric walkoff hit that propelled the team into the third and final game of the series.
“For the coaching staff and my teammates to have trust not only in me but the other teammates to get on really gave me confidence for that at-bat,” Smith mentioned following the resilient win. “I was ready to do something cool there.”
Series sweep
In the series finale, WSU started fast and found the offensive production it was missing in game two.
In the top of the first inning, WSU tallied five runs after recording one hit and seven walks. The Raiders would add two more runs in the second inning, taking a 7-0 lead.
After a lengthy rain delay, YSU began a comeback that would bring the team back within one run.
Leading 7-6 in the seventh inning, WSU added more cushion to its lead after sophomore Avery Fisher connected on a two-run home run, Fisher’s first long ball of the season.
“I just went out there and put a good swing on it. It fired me up,”
Fisher added after the series sweep. “It was good, the team needed it.”
WSU would close the game out by a final score of 9-6 to secure the sweep over the Penguins.
Showdown against Dayton
Following the series sweep over YSU, the Raiders are now set to play at Day Air Ballpark, home of the Dayton Dragons, on Tuesday evening against the Flyers from the University of Dayton.
Last season, the Raiders faced off against the Flyers twice, splitting the two games with UD. WSU won the first match by a final score of 14-0 but lost the second game 9-3.
This year's matchup between the two teams comes with a lot of hype and anticipation with the game in a professional setting.
“Anytime we play Dayton, it’s a big game. I know our guys love to play at that ballpark,” head coach Alex Sogard mentioned about the matchup Tuesday night. “It looks like both universities have done a good job publicizing it, so we’re hoping for a pretty good crowd.”
The matchup with the Flyers is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. and fans can tune in live on WWSU106.9 FM.
