BISMARCK, ND – Three more hits by University of Mary third baseman
Cal James in the Marauders first home games of the season has propelled the junior into third place all-time on the program's leaderboard. James posted a pair of hits in a game one 5-3 loss to visiting Southwest Minnesota State University before hitting a home run in a 14-3 game two setback to the Mustangs.
James now has 173 career hits with the Marauders and only trails Andy Leer (189) and Michael Feldman (186). Additionally James is second all-time at UMary in doubles with 42 (Tyler Liffrig owns the record with 44) and is fifth in runs scored with 123 (Leer all-time leader with 132).
As a team the Marauders hit two home runs on the day and are two short of the school record. UMary has belted 49 round trippers this season after setting the record with 51 in 2022.
GAME 1 | Southwest Minnesota State 5 University of Mary 3
The Mustangs scored runs in each of the first three innings to take a commanding 5-0 lead before holding off the Marauders down the stretch to win the opening game. Despite Kalen Knoll and
Parker Wakelyn combining to strike out 10 and allow just one walk while keeping the Mustangs from scoring in the final four innings of the game, the Marauders were unable to score outside of a 3-run home run by
Noah Hull in the third inning.
Cal James earned his way on base three times, twice on hits and once when he was hit by a pitch. Otherwise SMSU lefty Ryan Chmielewski held UMary in check for six innings before a trio of relievers closed out the game in the seventh inning by stranding two Marauders on base.
PIVOT POINT
After posting single runs in the first and second innings, the Mustangs scored three times in the third to seal the game. Twice taking advantage of hitters who swung at strike three at balls in the dirt and reached base on the wild pitch, the Mustangs scored on a run-scoring single by Jaxon Haase, a ground out and a wild pitch.
The Marauders came within a couple inches of tying the game in the fifth. With runners on second and third and two outs,
Krece Papierski laced a shot towards center field that a leaping Keenan Wenzel snared in the top of his webbing while positioned nearly behind second base to end the inning and the threat.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
STAT OF THE GAME
Halen Knoll and
Parker Wakelyn combined to strike out 10 Mustangs in seven innings but only issued one walk. Knoll struck out seven without a walk in six innings but twice had a strikeout victim reach base when the hitter swung as a pitch in the dirt to reach first base on the wild pitch.
GAME 2 | Mustangs 14 Marauders 3
For the second straight game the Mustangs jumped out to a 5-run lead before the Marauders found a way to touch home plate.
Cal James scored UMary's first run in the fourth inning before a wild pitch and a
Daniel Martin single closed the Marauders gap to 5-3. Unlike the opener the visitors continued to score, posting nine combined runs in the sixth and seventh innings to shorten the game.
PIVOT POINT
Taking advantage of four straight one-out hits – the last a 2-run double by Nett – and a UMary error, the Mustangs scored three runs in the first and ever trailed in the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
STAT OF THE GAME
The
Cal James home run was the 49
th of the season for UMary, two shy of the 2022 team record of 51.
NEXT UP
The Marauders and the Mustangs close out their 3-game Northern Sun series with a 9-inning game at 11 am on Monday, April 17, at the Veterans Memorial Ballpark in Mandan, ND.
#marauders#
