Wabash split a pair of one-run ball games against Millikin University Sunday at Goodrich Ballpark. The Big Blue took game one 4-3 before
Justin Green notched a walk off RBI single in a 5-4 Little Giant victory.
"I have been hitting the ball hard, but just right at people," Green said. "I knew I needed to hit something to the outfield and finally had a good pitch to hit. He left a pitch in and I got my timing down, so I just wanted to hit it hard."
Green turned on the inside pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning with one out and runners on second and third.
Lucas Stippler trotted home from third to tie the game with Oliger following close behind to easily score from second.
"A lot of things had to happen for him to get that opportunity," Coach Cory Stevens said. "Stippler got on base and had a great read to steal a bag.
David Oliger had a good at bat,
Clint Scarborough put an important bunt down to stay out of the double play, and then the big at bat by Green."
Scarborough, Wabash's cleanup hitter and home run leader, played small ball by executing a sacrifice bunt with two strikes to move Stippler to third and Oliger to second.
"In that situation, we want to move runners up 90 feet and have two in scoring position, stay out of the double play, and give the next guy the opportunity" Stevens said. "We'll do that anywhere through our lineup."
Jensen Kirch took the hill in game two for Wabash and had an impressive outing despite earning no decision. Kirch threw nine-1/3 innings, scattered 11 hits, and allowed four runs while striking out six. He threw 108 pitches with 77 going for strikes.
"He had an outstanding game on the mound," Stevens said. "For him to go as long as he did and throw as well as he did, that's a big confidence boost heading into conference."
Austin Hawn picked up the win after throwing 2/3 of an inning and allowing one hit.
The Little Giants were headed for a loss in game two.
Andrew Rodgers hit a short popup to centerfield with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but the Big Blue center fielder failed to make the catch. Oliger scored from second on the error, giving Wabash new life and set up the Green heroics.
Stippler hit 3-for-4 in game two with a run while
Cole Harlacher batted 2-for-4.
Brian Ekiss led Millikin (8-5) with three hits in five at bats while Frank Barnes went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.
Wabash was on the other side of defensive lapses in game one. The Big Blue took advantage of two misplayed popups by the Little Giants leading to the win for the visitors. The tying run crossed in the fifth after a fielding error. Millikin second baseman Cody Blunk registered the game-winning RBI in the sixth inning on a short fly ball to the outfield that could have easily been caught.
"Our defense did not play well that game," Stevens said. "We felt like if we made routine plays, we could've come out of it with a 3-1 win. That didn't happen, but our guys came back in the second game."
William Kelly was charged with the loss after throwing two innings in relief and surrendering a run on three hits. Starter
Josh Piercey completed five innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits.
The Little Giants jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from Scarborough and sacrifice fly from Rodgers.
Oliger went 2-for-3 with a run scored for Wabash while Blunk hit 2-for-2 and an RBI with two walks in game one to pace Millikin.
Sean Beal threw six innings for Millikin and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits. Ben Peters picked up the one-inning save.
The Little Giants (7-8) will have the week off before opening North Coast Athletic Conference play Saturday at Ohio Wesleyan. Wabash will play a double headers Saturday and Sunday with first pitch coming at 12 p.m. in Delaware, OH.
