The Charger baseball team traveled to Orange City, Iowa for a doubleheader against Northwestern and split the series. After dropping game one against Northwestern 4-2, the Cliff took game two 4-3 after Connor Lange's game winning RBI walk.
"Our pitching and defense was outstanding today," said head coach Corby McGlauflin. "We're really struggling offensively so it was big to salvage a split against a good team. We need to rest up tomorrow and get ready for another tough road series Sunday."
GAME 1 - L, 4-2
Trey Rogers led off game one with a walk, followed by a Jake Allen double to put the Chargers in scoring position with one out. Walter Hunt drove in Rogers with a single to give BC a 1-0 lead. In the next at-bat, Mike Anthony hit a RBI single to drive in pinch runner Brayden Artzer to extend the lead 2-0. Northwestern responded in the bottom of the inning with RBI singles from Eli Rash and Mo Watson to even the score 2-2.
In the bottom of the second, the Red Raiders looked to take the lead after placing runners at the corners with two outs. Jayden Snyder scored on a wild pitch followed by an RBI single from Kip Cullinan to give the Red Raiders a 4-2 lead.
The Charger offense struggled in the next three innings, recording only one hit and were unable to place a runner into scoring position.
BC looked to create momentum in the top of the sixth, after a lead-off double by Allen. Artzer pinch ran for Allen and reached third after a wild pitch. The Red Raiders would retire the next two batters, leaving Artzer stranded on third.
In the top of the seventh, Matthew Hmielewski drew a walk with two outs to give BC life. Matthew Delgado struck out swinging the next at-bat, and BC fell 4-2 in game one.
Jacob Wesselman is tabbed with the loss for the Cliff, going 6.0 innings while recording eight strikeouts and giving up four runs.
The Charger offense was led by Allen who went 2-for-3 with two doubles. Hunt and Anthony both went 1-for-3 with one RBI.
GAME 2 – W, 4-3
Dalen Blair started off strong on the mound in game two for the Chargers by throwing six scoreless innings. Blair earned his fourth win of the season after recording four K's and giving up three runs after seven innings of work.
BC struck first in the top of the third, as Easton Cone belted his first homer of the season to deep left field to give the Cliff a 1-0 lead.
Rogers led off the fourth inning reaching base after being hit by a pitch. Rogers swiped second during the next at-bat to put the Chargers in scoring position. Anthony's single to right field drove in Rogers to extend the lead 2-0.
In the top of the sixth, Hunt drew a walk to load up the bases with one out. Anthony hit a sac fly to deep right field to drive in Rogers to extend the lead 3-0.
Northwestern rallied back in the bottom of the seventh, after Watson's RBI single and a two RBI double from Brett Shelton the tied the game 3-3.
In the top of the eighth, Rogers, Hunt, and Anthony drew walks to load up the bases. Rogers represented the go-ahead run with two outs with Connor Lange at the plate. Lange drew an RBI walk, giving BC a 4-3 lead.
Brett Sitzmann was called in from the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth and retired the next six batters in order to record the save.
Rogers drew two walks in the contest and scored three runs for the Chargers. Anthony went 1-for-2 with two RBIs.
The Chargers move to 17-9 (7-3 GPAC) and return to action with a doubleheader against Dakota Wesleyan Sunday, in Mitchell, South Dakota. First pitch for game one is set for 1PM with game two to follow.
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