MT. CARMEL, Illinois - Adding two runs each of the first four innings was greatly appreciate by starting right-hander Clay Wallace (4-2, 1.89 ERA, 33.1 IP, 27 K, 8 BB). Sophomores led the offense as shortstop Edgar Figueroa (3-for-4, R, SB, 2B, RBI) and catcher James Jewell (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI) had multiple-hits and first baseman Cole Gleason (1-for-2, SB, 2B) drove in multiple runs. Wabash Valley (22-8, 8-2) downed Lake Land College 9-0 in the second game of the home double-header.
Sophomore leftfielder Harold Diaz led the game off with a hit-by-pitch. Diaz leads the team in this category, with 18 bean balls on the year. Freshman centerfielder Manuel DeJesus (1-for-3, BB, 2 R, 2B) followed with a walk and Gleason capitalized early scoring both on a double.
Jewell reached on an error with one out to start off the second inning. Freshman second baseman Jarier Estrada was walked, Jewell would score on a wild pitch, and a second wild pitch was thrown as Diaz attempted to safety squeeze Estrada. This gave the home Warriors a 4-0 lead over the visiting Lakers.
Sophomore rightfielder Garrett Gordon (1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB) led off the third with a 1-out walk and Figueroa followed with a single. Freshman third baseman Rey Perez followed with a walk and Jewell drove in Gordon and Figueroa on a single past a diving shortstop.
The fourth inning was led by DeJesus' one-out double. He would move to third on a ball-in-dirt read and Gleason flew out to right to drive him in. Gordon followed with a single and Figueroa hit an RBI double, extending the lead to 8-0.
Sophomore third baseman Jeff Smith led the home half of the 5th off with a walk, Jewell singled, and Estrada walked. Sophomore rightfielder Dennis Olszewski picked up his first RBI of the season, putting together a solid at-bat with the bases loaded, and drawing a walk.
Wallace (5.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K) stayed consistent and faced 23 batters in the game, before being relieved by lefty side-winder Matt Geislinger in the 6th inning. He faced 5 batters in relief, striking out the side and getting the ball to freshman closer Erik Swanson. He went one-two-three in the top of the 7th, striking out the first hitter.
The Warriors will be back in action on Tuesday, April 2nd at home vs. Volunteer State.