The Briar Cliff baseball team completed a four-game sweep of Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday afternoon, winning game one 11-10 and game two 12-7 in Mitchell, South Dakota.
Game One — W, 11-10
The Chargers jumped out to a fast start, plating four runs in the first inning and adding another in the second to build a 5-0 lead. Dakota Wesleyan responded in a big way in the bottom of the second, using a pair of three-run home runs to take a 6-5 advantage.
Briar Cliff evened the game in the fourth on a solo home run from Nico Sall, and the two teams traded runs into the late innings. After Dakota Wesleyan tied the game at 8-8 in the sixth, the Chargers delivered the decisive blow in the seventh.
Briar Cliff scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by RBI hits from Cael Walrod and Cade Marquardt, along with an RBI walk from Grant Devecsery to take an 11-8 lead.
Dakota Wesleyan mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh, cutting the deficit to one on a two-run double, but Caleb Geisler closed the door to secure the win and earn the save.
Zach Lamont picked up the win in relief, tossing three innings while allowing two runs and striking out four. Geisler recorded the final three outs to seal the victory.
At the plate, Briar Cliff totaled 11 hits, with Marquardt leading the way with three hits and two RBIs. Devecsery drove in three runs, while Sall added a home run and scored twice.
Ean Laird paced Dakota Wesleyan with two home runs and six RBIs in the loss.
Game Two — W, 12-7
The Chargers wasted no time getting on the board, scoring four runs in the first inning. Dakota Wesleyan answered with three runs in the bottom half and later took a 5-4 lead after a three-run third inning.
Briar Cliff responded in the fifth, scoring three runs to regain a 7-5 advantage. The Chargers then broke the game open in the sixth with a four-run frame, highlighted by a two-run single from Jake Christianson and an RBI single from Damon Schmid.
Cade Marquardt added insurance in the seventh with a solo home run to push the lead to 12-5. Dakota Wesleyan scored once in the final inning, but Briar Cliff held on for the win.
Kadyn Marks earned the victory in relief, tossing four innings and allowing just one run while striking out nine.
Offensively, Schmid led the way with three hits and five RBIs, including a home run and double. Marquardt added three hits and a homer, while Christianson drove in two runs.
Ean Laird paced Dakota Wesleyan with two home runs and four RBIs in the loss.
With the sweep, the Chargers improved to 17-18 overall and 10-6 in GPAC play. Briar Cliff returns to action Saturday against Morningside, traveling for a doubleheader on April 11 before hosting the Mustangs on April 12 at Bishop Mueller Complex. First pitch Saturday is set for 1 p.m., with game two to follow.
#BattleOn
