MONMOUTH, Ore. – Entering the series as the top home run hitting team in the nation, the Western Oregon University baseball team used effective pitching throughout both games Friday to contain a powerful Montana State Billings lineup in taking game one, 9-2, and the nightcap, 5-1, in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
The starting pitching of Mike Peterson and Matthew Dunaway kept the Montana State Billings offense in check throughout both games. Peterson allowed just six baserunners over six innings, while Dunaway posted 10 strikeouts and allowed just four baserunners in five innings.
"My fastball command I thought was really good today. Towards the end I was starting to mix my pitches up a little bit. I had some really good defense behind me, so that made my job a whole lot easier," Peterson said, who has gone six innings each of his past two starts that both ended up wins for the Wolves.
In the opener, WOU (5-3, 4-2 GNAC) busted out for 12 hits in the 9-2 win. Connor McCord and David Gibons led the way with three hits apiece, while Blayze Arcano collected two hits.
Right away in the first, Derek Maiben walked and then came home on a double to center by Connor McCord that dropped just in front of the centerfielder to allow Derek Maiben to score from second after stealing the base right before McCord's hit.
In the third, Arcano ripped a double into the left field corner and after moving to third on a wild pitch, would score on a single up the middle by Derek Maiben for the 2-0 lead.
A couple of quick hits in the fourth helped put two more runs on the board. McCord opened the frame with a double into the right field corner and then Justyn Herzog launched the 2-1 pitch over the right field fence for the two-run shot and a 4-0 lead.
"Coach Trevor Podratz has been helping me work on a few things and really the whole team has and the work is really starting to show. I've been feeling really good at the plate," Herzog said, who has hit three home runs over the past five games and driven in six during that time.
MSU Billings (3-15, 3-7 GNAC) picked up their first run of the game in the sixth. WOU answered right back in the home half when McCord opened the frame with a solo homer to right-center.
With the 'Jackets picking up a run in the seventh, the Wolves put the game out of reach in the bottom of the seventh. Arcano placed a perfect bunt down the third base line for a hit. Derek Maiben was hit-by-pitch and then brother Jacob Maiben would single to left to bring in Arcano. After the second out was recorded, Herzog walked to load the bases for Gibons who single to second to score Derek Maiben. A wild pitch followed to score Jacob Maiben to move WOU to an 8-2 lead after seven.
The Wolves added another run in the eighth without the benefit of a hit when Ryan Santa Cruz was hit-by-pitch to begin the inning. A pair of walks around two outs to Arcano and Jacob Maiben loaded the bases and a wild pitch would score Santa Cruz with the ninth run of the game.
Peterson picked up the win (2-0) going six innings and allowing just one earned run. He tallied two strikeouts and walked just one. Trae Perkins then worked the final three innings for the save (2) giving up just one earned run while striking out four.
McCord and Herzog each drove in a pair of runs to lead the offense as seven Wolves had at least a hit.
WOU held a 12-6 advantage in hits. Daniel Cipriano led the 'Jackets with two hits and Justin Lutz had an RBI. On the mound, Connor Redmond started and went the first six innings to end up with the loss (1-2) allowing five earned runs while striking out 10. Cort Dietrich and Ryan Roche went the final two innings.
In game two, both offenses came out of the gate ready. MSU Billings struck first plating a run in the opening inning, but Dunaway limited the damage getting a strikeout to leave two runners on.
In the home half, WOU came right back to take the lead for good. With an out recorded, Derek Maiben walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Jacob Maiben walked and both moved up on a balk. McCord drove in the tying run with an RBI groundout to second. Herzog then came through with a clutch two-out hit singling to right-center to move WOU to a 2-1 lead after one.
Derek Maiben ignited the third with a leadoff double to left. Jacob Maiben then executed a perfect bunt single to move runners to the corners. Derek Maiben would come home on a wild pitch to push the lead to 3-1. With two outs, Hunter Johnson was the one this time to come through with a big two-out hit when he singled up the middle to score McCord and leave WOU with a 4-1 lead after three.
WOU finished the scoring in the fourth when Anthony Zellner and Arcano each singled to opened the inning. After a fielder's choice moved runners to the corners, another wild pitch brought in Zellner for the 5-1 lead.
The pitching combination of Dunaway, Nathan Bonck and Alan Vasquez kept MSU Billings to just two hits in the game. Dunaway grabbed the win (1-1) going the first five innings and allowing just one earned run with 10 strikeouts. Bonck worked the sixth inning picking up a strikeout. Alan Vasquez closed the game in the seventh getting a strikeout and allowing just a walk.
WOU held an 8-2 edge in hits with Arcano and Derek Maiben leading the way with two hits apiece. Six total Wolves tallied a hit. Herzog, Johnson and McCord all drove in a run.
Carson Green and Lutz had the two hits for the 'Jackets. On the mound, Matthew Houlihan went the first two innings to end up with the loss (0-4) allowing four earned runs. Brooks Zimmer went the final four innings allowing one earned run.
WOU and Montana State Billings will close their four-game GNAC series tomorrow (Saturday) beginning at 1 p.m. with another doubleheader scheduled.
