APR. 8 — Leafs Claim Sprint, Can't Win Marathon At IWU
Goshen splits with Wildcats after 5-4 win leads to 10-inning, 1-2 loss

Marion, IN — For the baseball traditionalist, Saturday’s contests at Indiana Wesleyan University were a dream come true.

There was solid pitching.

There were timely hits.

There were extra innings.

There was a triple play.

Unfortunately for Goshen, there was also a split decision.

Goshen (11-24, 5-9) was able to defeat the host Wildcats in the first of the Mid-Central Conference double-header by a 5-4 score, but could not outlast Indiana Wesleyan in a 10-inning second contest, falling by a 1-2 count. The teams combined for just 19 total hits on the afternoon, putting a supreme emphasis on pitching and defense throughout.

“We battled very hard today in both games,” said Josh Keister, Goshen head coach. “Unfortunately, we let a great opportunity for a win get away in the second game.”

Such was not the case in Saturday’s initial tilt, as sunny skies and a cool breeze set the backdrop for the first of two hotly contested ballgames. Senior Ben Taylor (4-4) may not have had his absolute best stuff working on the mound — the 2005 MCC Player of the Year went the distance striking out three and walking two — but he did receive enough defense and run support to grab his second straight win on the mound.

Keister’s team scored two runs in the first inning thanks to a pair of Wesleyan mistakes and superior base running, while adding two more scores in the fifth behind a pair of singles from sophomore Nate Montiel and freshman Ian Swartz and a walk from sophomore Mike Staehle. That sequence was followed a remarkable triple play in the bottom of the inning, where junior Nate Colclasure snagged a line drive, threw out a Wesleyan runner at second and then received a pitch back to force out the runner on first.

“We made some key defensive plays throughout the first game, including the first triple play that I have ever witnessed,” Keister said.

Goshen got a much-needed hit in the seventh inning, as the 4-4 deadlock was broken up by a single from Colclasure. Following a walk issued to sophomore Chris Hostetler, Colclasure rocketed a single into the outfield, scoring Hostetler from second base to grab a 5-4 lead. That was enough for Taylor in the bottom of the final inning, as the senior retired three straight Wildcat batters following a lead-off single.

Colclasure led the way with the game’s biggest hit, going 1-3 from the plate with an RBI. Montiel finished 1-2 with two runs scored, while sophomore Alex Childers was 1-2 with one run scored. Staehle was credited with an RBI, while Swartz finished 1-2 with a run scored.

An exciting finish to the day’s first game led into a pitcher’s duel in the second, as Wesleyan’s 2-1 win was played in errorless fashion from both squads. The Leafs got on the board first, scoring a run in the third inning on a triple from Staehle. Wesleyan responded with a run in its half of the inning, setting the stage for six and a half innings of shut-out baseball. During that stretch, Goshen stranded just two of its total five runners left on base, unable to grab a lead.

“Our offensive ineptitude cost us in the second game,” Keister said. “Our pitchers continue to do a great job they need some support.”

Junior Dann Hunt started the game on the mound for Goshen and went five and two thirds innings, striking out seven and walking six. He was pulled in favor of freshman Aaron Keister (3-4), who suffered the loss pitching just three and two thirds innings while striking out three and walking none. Keister’s only mistakes came in the bottom of the 10th inning, where giving up a pair of singles led to Wesleyan’s score.

As would be expected, offensive stat lines for both squads were minimal. Staehle led the way for Goshen with a 1-3 effort and an RBI off his third-inning triple. Montiel, Swartz and freshman Kyle Koch were responsible for the Leafs’ other three hits, all of which were singles.

Goshen will next travel to Madonna University on Tuesday for a pair of non-MCC games starting at 1 p.m. before returning to league play. The Leafs’ next conference games take place on Thursday, when Spring Arbor University visits the Goshen College Baseball Complex.