What better way to pick up two victories on the baseball diamond than by doubling home run after run.
Wabash hit 12 doubles in two games to earn a Friday sweep over Earlham College in North Coast Athletic Conference baseball action at chilly Mud Hollow Field. The Little Giants won 16-4 in game one before taking the second by a score of 13-6.
In the second inning of game one, the Little Giants had four doubles in five total hits in the inning. Already up 2-0, Mike Nowak doubled to left center with two outs, then scored when Kyle Rush doubled to right center. David Culp's single scored Rush, then Culp followed with a run on a double by Matt Dodaro. Jake Thomas added the first of three doubles in the game to bring Dodaro home, giving the Little Giants a 6-0 lead. It was the first time a Wabash player picked up three doubles in a game since Bill Goff '05 picked up three against Monmouth College in 2004.
Culp added more heroics in the third inning. After Rush singled home a run with the bases loaded to make it a 7-0 contest, Culp hit a grand slam in the next at bat to put the game out of reach.
TJ Siple took advantage of the offensive output, throwing six innings to pick up his second win of the year. The junior scattered six hits for two runs with two walks and six strikeouts. Patrick McCarley worked the final inning, allowing two runs on one hit with two walks and strikeout.
Wabash put five runs on the scoreboard in game two in the opening inning. Scott Hamilton provided the big blow this time, doubling home two runs before moving to third on a ground out and scoring on a passed ball.
Those first inning runs would be all junior Chris Schmaltz would need to pick up his first victory of the season. He pitched six innings, allowing three runs on just four hits. Schmaltz struck out eight while walking just two batters. Rob Harvey and Tony Goodpaster combined to pitch the final inning in relief to secure the victory for Schmaltz.
Rush finished the day 5-for-6 from the plate with one double and three RBIs. Dodaro and Shaun Rico each had six hits in eight at bats. Thomas added two more hits to his three doubles to finish with five for the day. He also had six RBIs. Culp had five RBIs on four hits.
Wabash (8-17-1, 3-7 NCAC West) and Earlham (5-14, 0-6 NCAC West) conclude their four-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday. The first pitch is scheduled for noon.