Jake Thomas drilled a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning of game two between Wabash and Earlham to lift the Little Giants to a 3-2 victory over the Quakers. Wabash took game one 1-0 to pick up the short two-game North Coast Athletic Conference series sweep. (View photos from the Little Giants' victories here and photo slide series by local photographer Kevin Seale here.)
Thomas' shot came after Earlham pitcher Adam Painter had dominated the Wabash batting lineup over the first five innings. Painter collected 10 total strikeouts in the contest, retiring the first 13 Little Giant players he faced before John Holm singled right-center field in the fifth to break up the perfect game. A double play ended any Wabash threat to keep the Quakers in front 2-0 after Earlham scored a run in the third on a Jake Carr RBI single and one in the fifth on a hit by Corey Murray.
Tyler Burke singled up the middle with one out in the sixth to start the Wabash rally. Brian Lares followed with another single before PJ Tyson loaded the bases when his ground ball back to Painter was thrown away for the only error of the game by Earlham. Chris Dieg picked up the first RBI of the game on a ground out that scored Burke while moving Lares to third and Tyson to second.
Thomas was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts against Painter before launching a shot to the left-center field gap to bring home the tying and eventual winning run.
Mike Korfhagen entered the seventh inning looking for his first win of the season. The senior surrendered a leadoff walk to Alex Anderson before giving way to reliever Keegan Leckrone. The Wabash stopper recorded his second save of the season when Anderson was caught stealing, Carr struck out looking, then Murray struck out swinging after Andrew Morrical reached on a double down the left field line. Korfhagen pitched well, scattering six hits over six innings for two runs with three walks and five strikeouts.
Hits were at a premium for Wabash in game one, as well. The Little Giants scored the only run of the 1-0 win by picking up their only two hits of the game in the second inning.
Holm was hit by a pitch, then went to second on a single by Tanner Coggins. David Seibel singled to center, bringing Holm to the plate. Anderson took the loss for Earlham despite giving up just one run and two hits with a walk and five K's. Senior Andy Weeks improved to 2-1 with his second complete game of the season. He held the Quakers to just three hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.
Wabash (10-13, 5-3 NCAC West) travels to Louisville, Kentucky Tuesday afternoon to face Spalding University in a single nine-inning contest before playing a key four-game NCAC West division series at Denison University April 18-19.
Photos - (top left) PJ Tyson scores the winning run in game two to complete the Saturday sweep of Earlham.
(Bottom right) Andy Weeks held the Quakers to three hits in his complete-game shutout win of the Quakers.
Game One - Wabash 1, Earlham 0 (box score)
Game Two - Wabash 3, Earlham 2 (box score)