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Baseball news
NWC/Morningside to Play in Key GPAC Doubleheader
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Apr 12, 2007
GAMETIME...Thursday, April 12 at 3/5:00 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Field in Sioux City, Iowa versus Morningside College in a GPAC doubleheader.
SCOUTING REPORT...The Mustangs improved to 5-3 in the GPAC, 15-12 overall, when they swept a GPAC doubleheader over first place Dakota Wesleyan, 4-2 and 4-1, on Monday, April 9. Morningside received a pair of standout performances by starting pitchers Josh Hansen (game 1) and Heath Horsley in game two. In game one, Hansen limited DWU to five hits, two runs and two walks in six innings to improve to 4-3 on the season. Closer Eric Delich pitched a perfect seventh inning to pick up his third save. Offensively, Morningside managed just six hits but used a two-run fifth inning to turn a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 lead. Jason Wysong had an RBI triple and Jared Noteboom added an RBI double in the decisive fifth inning.
In game two, 2005 GPAC Pitcher-of-the-Year Heath Horsley improved to 5-1overall as the senior went 5.2 innings and gave up five hits, four walks and one run. Delich came on once again to pitch the final 1.1 innings to close the game. Jason Engleman led the Mustang offense with three singles while David Manceaux added a key RBI single in the first inning.
Morningside boasts the fifth best batting average in the GPAC (.282) and is averaging better than five runs per game. Sophomore catcher Jason Engleman leads the team with a .366 batting average and has a team-high 18 RBIs. Junior outfielder Tom Kohl is second in the GPAC with 29 runs scored and has a league-high 16 stolen bases. Jared Noteboom (.365) and David Manceaux (.333) are the other top offensive stars for the Mustangs. Horsley leads the staff with a 5-1 record and a 2.11 ERA. Hansen is 4-3 this season and is fourth in the GPAC with 42 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched. Eric Delich boasts a 2-0 record with four saves and an impressive 1.14 ERA.
The Mustangs are coached by legendary skipper Jim Scholten, who is in his 24th year with the program. Earlier this season, he recorded his 500th victory as head coach at Morningside.
LAST TIME OUT...Northwestern split a pair of non-conference games against Mayville State on April 9, taking the first contest, 12-2 in five innings, but falling in game two, 3-4. The Raiders feasted off Comet pitching in game one, pounding out 12 hits and earning five walks during the five-inning win. Brad Payne led the charge with three hits, two runs and two RBIs. Four other players recorded two hits each, including Matt Gray who drove in four runs. Jake Koerselman picked up his sixth win of the season with a complete game, two-hitter. He struck out four and walked three.
Trailing 1-4 in the sixth inning, NWC rallied to score a run in each of the final two innings, but could not plate the tying run in the seventh to fall 3-4 in game two. Joe Grady (3-4)picked up the loss as he went four innings and gave up four hits and two earned runs. Three relievers combined to pitch three scoreless innings in relief. Grant Wall led the offense with two hits, two RBIs and one run scored.
RED RAIDER NOTES...With the split against Mayville State, NWC is 20-8 overall and tied for third place in the GPAC with Morningside at 5-3. They lead the league in both batting average (.353) and ERA (3.68). Jake Jansen is second in the NAIA with a .494 batting average. The sophomore has 10 doubles, three home runs and is fourth in the league with 29 RBIs. Coming into today's twinbill, Jansen has a 10-game hit streak. Codie Zeutenhorst is seventh in the conference with a .395 batting average with a league best 10 home runs and 31 RBIs. Austin Malone, a sophomore from San Diego, Calif., has scored 26 runs and has a .395 average at the plate. Leadoff batter Grant Wall is best in the league with 34 runs scored, 14 doubles and four triples. Joe Heitritter (.375), Michael Janssen (.360) and Matt Gray (.315) are the other offensive stars for NWC.
Jake Koerselman (6-0) and Mihai Burlea (5-0) lead a veteran staff with a 2.15 ERA and 3.56 ERA, respectively. Burlea has struck out 59 batters in 39 innings, second best in the NAIA. Dusty Meyn (2-3, 3.60 ERA) and Joe Grady (3-4, 3.72 ERA) round out the starting rotation for the Raiders. Justin Lane anchors the NWC bullpen with five saves and a 1.12 ERA. Sophomore Andrew Brower has appeared in eight games and has not given up an earned run in his past 10.2 inning pitched.
NEXT UP...The Raiders host Midland Lutheran on Friday, April 13 at 4/6:00 p.m. in another GPAC doubleheader. They will then travel to Blair, Neb. to play a pair of league games against Dana.
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