Western Wayne Today

Wayne State University's baseball team faced a challenging day against Florida Southern College, dropping both games of a doubleheader on Saturday. The matches were part of a four-game series held in Lakeland, Florida. Wayne State now holds an overall record of 9-13, while Florida Southern improved to 22-5.

In the first game, neither team scored until the third inning when Florida Southern took the lead. Wayne State tied it up in the fourth inning with Caleb Sanders driving in Gabe Zeldes. The Mocs then regained control with two runs in the fifth inning. Wayne State briefly led after a three-run sixth inning, highlighted by Tony Hatzigeorgiou's solo home run and Mason McGuire's two-RBI single.

However, Florida Southern responded strongly, scoring five unanswered runs across the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. Despite a late effort from Wayne State, including a two-run homer by Owen Tuccinardi in the ninth inning, they fell short with an 8-6 loss. Gabe Nazelli took his first loss of the season after pitching six and two-thirds innings.

In the second game of the day, Wayne State initially jumped to a 5-0 lead within two innings. Bennett Hitzelberger doubled in Mason McGuire before Drew Hill hit a home run bringing in himself and Hitzelberger. However, Florida Southern dominated afterward with 13 consecutive runs through various innings.

Macio Miller was credited with his second loss of the season as he pitched alongside Braylon Laroo and Nick Baker for Wayne State.

The series will conclude on Sunday at 1 p.m., where both teams will meet again for their final matchup.