Western Wayne Today

Wayne State University's baseball team secured a victory against Newberry College in South Carolina on Sunday, winning 6-3. This result allowed the Warriors to split their season-opening four-game series, leaving them with an overall record of 2-2. Their next challenge will be facing Ohio Dominican in a four-game series scheduled for February 22-23 at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio.

Sophomore pitcher Gavin Nash from Howell, Michigan, achieved his first collegiate win by delivering five shutout innings. He allowed two unearned runs on four hits and recorded three walks alongside six strikeouts. Relief pitchers Rocco Cardinale, Ethan Getting, and Carson Tehan contributed effectively to maintain the lead through the remaining innings.

Offensively, Wayne State initiated scoring early with two runs in the first inning. Reagan Paulina's double advanced Drew Hill to third base before Hill scored due to an error by Newberry's right fielder. Paulina also scored following consecutive groundouts.

Newberry reduced their deficit in the third inning but was countered by Ty Garza's solo home run in the fifth inning for Wayne State. Tony Hatzigeorgiou further extended the lead with a sacrifice fly that brought Caleb Sanders home.

Despite Newberry narrowing Wayne State's advantage again in the fifth inning, Jacoby Dale added insurance runs for Wayne State with a double down the left field line in the seventh inning. This hit drove Mason McGuire and Bennett Hitzelberger across home plate.

Newberry managed another run in the ninth inning but failed to close the gap significantly before time ran out.