Coming off their three-game sweep over league foe Saint Francis, the IWU Wildcats split a pair of games with Cleary University on Wednesday, losing the first game 6-4 before bouncing back with a 17-9 triumph in the second contest.
The opener was close throughout, as the two teams played a 4-4 tie in the seventh inning, but Cleary scored two runs in the top of the eighth, securing the triumph.
Caleb Brenczweski finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Nick Coy went 1-for-3 with a triple.
In the nightcap, after giving up seven runs in the first inning, the Wildcats responded with nine runs in the bottom half of the frame, taking a lead they would not relinquish. As a team, the Wildcats finished 19-of-34 from the plate.
Lucas Goodin went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, three RBI, and four runs scored, while Tye Thixton finished with four hits, a triple, two RBI, and three runs scored. Colby Jenkins hit his first collegiate home run in the sixth inning.
Mitchell Smith earned the victory on the mound, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing only one earned run while striking out four.
