PINEVILLE, La. – Kansas Wesleyan Baseball picked up its first win of the season as the Coyotes split a doubleheader with Louisiana Christian on Saturday winning the first game 2-0 but dropping the second 4-3.
In the opener,
Nathan Galusha tossed a gem for the Coyotes, scattering five hits while striking out 11 in the 2-0 shutout win.
Both runs for the Coyotes came in the sixth inning as
Tyler Favretto doubled to lead off the inning, then pinch runner
Michael Rago later scored on a wild pitch.
Fernando Ruvalcaba doubled home the second run of the inning.
Ruvalcaba and
Carter Allen combined for four of KWU's six hits in the game.
The second game saw LCU score three runs in the bottom of the third inning to break a 1-1 tie, but the Coyotes tried desperately to rally, but came up short in the 4-3 loss.
The Coyotes scored a run in the first inning as Favretto singled then pinch runner Rago later scored on a throwing error by the LCU catcher. LCU tied things up in the bottom of the inning.
LCU took advantage of an error and a balk in the third inning to help the Wildcats plate three runs to take a 4-1 lead.
The score would hold until the fifth when the Coyotes put together a 2-out rally.
Alex Garcia walked,
Jacob Williamson singled and two walks to Favretto and
Carter Allen, the Coyotes had a run on the board.
Drew Wardell then walked to bring in the second run of the inning, but the Coyotes could not get another run across.
KWU only had three hits in the game by three different players.
Wil Yamka took the loss in relief allowing three runs on two hits.
Ritter Steinmann pitched phenomenally in relief as well allowing three hits and striking out seven in three and two-thirds.
Shaw Lee started the game and when two innings.
The Coyotes are scheduled for the home opener next weekend, as KWU hosts multiple teams for multiple games on Friday and Saturday. KWU will play USAO on Friday at 11 a.m. and Doane at 1 p.m., both games at Dean Evans Stadium. KWU will then play William Penn on Saturday at 11 a.m. and USAO again at 1 p.m. Saturday. There are scheduled to be five games each day at Dean Evans and the new Pestinger Family Field.
