Wabash Rallies Fall Short in 8-5 Road Loss at Anderson
ANDERSON, Ind. — Wabash rallied from an early deficit and briefly pulled even midway through the game, but Anderson used timely hitting and capitalized on late defensive miscues to hand the Little Giants an 8-5 non-conference loss Wednesday evening at Don Brandon Field.
Wabash dropped to 5-11 on the season, while Anderson improved to 11-8-1.
The Ravens seized control early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Landon Gum delivered the key blow with a bases-clearing double to center field to give Anderson a 3-0 advantage.
Wabash answered in the third inning, using patience at the plate to draw even. Jimmy Hawksworth walked to start the rally and later scored on a bases-loaded walk by Ben Henke. A wild pitch plated Landen Basey before Will McKinzie added a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 3-3.
Anderson regained the lead in the fifth inning. Dylan Hogan singled home a run before Gum added his fourth RBI of the game with a base hit to center, extending the Ravens' lead to 5-3. The hosts added another run in the sixth on an RBI double by Griffin Wolf.
Wabash again responded in the seventh. Caleb Ellspermann doubled to ignite the inning and later scored on a single by Will Fremion. Carson Vlcan followed with a sacrifice fly to trim the deficit to 6-5.
The Ravens pulled away in the eighth inning, taking advantage of two Wabash errors. Daniel Barreca delivered an RBI single and later scored on a throwing error, pushing the margin to 8-5.
Anderson finished with 15 hits compared to six for Wabash and did not commit an error, while the Little Giants were charged with two.
Ellspermann led Wabash offensively, scoring twice while going 1-for-3 with two walks and a double. Fremion provided a spark off the bench, going 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI. Hawksworth added a double and scored a run, while Henke drove in a run and reached base twice.
Gum paced Anderson with a 4-for-5 performance and four RBIs, while Wolf added three hits, including two doubles, and drove in a run.
On the mound, Henry Birk started for Wabash and allowed three runs in one inning. Miles Williams provided effective relief, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Adam Gaskill (0-1) took the loss after surrendering two runs in two-thirds of an inning. Isaac Stallings worked three innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, and Trey Pitcock finished the game.
Joe Wilson earned the win in relief for Anderson, while Lance Coy recorded the save.
Wabash drew eight walks but stranded 11 runners and went just 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position, limiting its ability to complete the comeback.
The Little Giants open North Coast Athletic Conference play on Saturday with a doubleheader at John Carroll University. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
