With a strong wind blowing out to left field, Doane College took advantage and blasted four home runs to give them a 17-7 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan in a nonconference baseball game on Tuesday night (Apr. 13) at NWU Field in Lincoln. The game was called after eight innings due to the run rule.

Mike Albert had a huge day for the Tigers (20-12) as he finished 5-6 with two home runs, two doubles and three RBI to just miss hitting for the cycle. Blake Snow and Jason West also provided home runs for Doane.

Albert got Doane off to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. However, NWU (10-10) came back in the bottom of the second and took over the lead. John Rust sent a towering 3-run home run deep over the left centerfield wall to put the Prairie Wolves up 3-2.

The score remained 3-2 until the fifth inning when Snow hit a two-run home run. NWU starting pitcher Trevor Vettel was solid in his first collegiate start going 5.0 innings allowing four runs on six hits with six strikeouts.

It was the NWU bullpen that again failed for the Prairie Wolves. Four relief pitchers allowed 11 runs, 11 hits and five walks in three innings of work.

After allowing eight runs in the sixth to fall behind 12-3, NWU had their first six batters reach base as the Prairie Wolves put three runs across. The play that killed all of the NWU momentum was a rare fielder's choice double play. Joe Stepanek hit a ground ball to the third baseman who forced out Bryon Janata at second. Stepanek beat the throw at first, but the NWU runner at the third base did not attempt to score right away and was thrown out at home plate.

Josh Ostrom and Derek Erb-Woods both had two hits to lead the NWU offense. Cory Hilgenkamp had a double, and Bryon Janata tripled as a pinch hitter.

NWU will return to Great Plains Athletic Conference play on Saturday (Apr. 17) as they hope to continue their winning ways with a doubleheader against Dordt at NWU Field.