Grand Slam Lifts NWU Past Briar Cliff

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March 30, 2008

Corey Petersen hit a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning to help Nebraska Wesleyan earn a 7-2 victory over Briar Cliff University in game one of a Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday (Mar. 29) afternoon in Lincoln, Neb. Briar Cliff bounced back to win game two, 7-5.

Corey PetersenGame one versus BCU was tied 2-2 heading into the seventh inning. Andy McGowan led off the inning with a single and was moved to 2nd on a sacrifice by Jon Scholz. Steve Schaffer then drove in the game-winning run with a single to left field. NWU promptly then loaded the bases for Petersen who sent a shot over the left center field wall for the grand slam.

In the second game, the Chargers (5-15, 3-3 GPAC) roughed up NWU starter Tom Hranac for four runs in the first inning. The Prairie Wolves rallied to score four runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run double by Jared Meays. Cory Hilgenkamp led off the third inning with a solo home run and the game was tied 5-5 after three innings. Briar Cliff added one run in the fourth and fifth innings and held on for the 7-5 win.

NWU didn't fare as well on Sunday as the Prairie Wolves dropped both games of the doubleheader at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D. DWU rallied to win game one, 7-6, then won game two 13-3 in five innings.

The Prairie Wolves took advantage of three DWU errors to jump out to a 6-0 lead after three innings, but that wasn't enough. The Tigers socred one run in the third and fourth then took over the lead in the bottom of the sixth. DWU scored five runs in the sixth, highlighted by a pinch hit three-run home run. NWU starter Owen Schmidt went 5+ innings allowing three earned runs and six hits. Reliever Chris Wahl took the loss allowing three runs in 1.0 innings.

McGowan led off game two with a solo home run, but that was the only highlight for NWU in the game that was ended after five innings due to the run rule. DWU scored seven runs in the bottom of the second and cruised to the win in a game that was played in snow flurries.

NWU will travel to Peru, Neb., to take on Peru State College in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday (Apr. 1).