Four-run eighth propels KWU past Bellevue

NAIA Opening Round Schedule/Results

UPLAND, Ind. -- Third-seeded Kansas Wesleyan scored four-runs in the eighth to rally past the second-seeded Bellevue University baseball team on Monday in game one of the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round Upland Bracket at Taylor University's Winterholter Field.

Kansas Wesleyan extended their winning streak to eight games as the Coyotes improved to 40-13 on the year. The loss put a halt to Bellevue's eight-game streak, dropping the Bruins to 40-14 overall.

With the victory, Kansas Wesleyan advances in the winner's bracket where they will meet the victor of top-seeded Taylor University (46-9) and fourth-seeded Grand View University (34-11) tomorrow at 3 p.m.

The loss drops Bellevue to the loser's bracket where they will face the Taylor-Grand View loser tomorrow at 11 a.m.

The Coyotes got on the board first in the opening frame. With two outs, Kansas Wesleyan got consecutive base hits from Garrett Garfield and Fernando Ruvalcaba with the latter's knock to left center being bobbled and allowing Garfield to score from first on the play.

Elijah Tanner put the Bruins on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning with his fourth home run of the season. His two-run shot with two outs gave BU a 2-1 advantage.

Bellevue doubled their lead with a run in the sixth. Steven Elsner led off the inning with a double to the wall and Logan Grant reached on a drag bunt to put runners on the corners. Jake Lacey came through with a sac fly and the Bruin lead grew to 3-1 after the sixth inning.

Blake Dale's solo shot with one out in the seventh brought Kansas Wesleyan a run closer but Bellevue starter Parker McMan retired the next two batters to bring the Bruin bats back to the plate with the lead.

Jacob Williamson drew a leadoff walk from BU reliever Brayden Andersen to open the eighth for KWU. A passed ball allowed him to advance to second. Tyler Favretto ripped a double off the wall, just out of reach of a leaping Anthony Lind; but Lind recovered and hit second baseman Nick Gravel who relayed a perfect throw home to nail Williamson at the plate for the first out of the inning. The momentum was short-lived as Garfield deposited the next pitch over the left field fence to return the lead to KWU. A base-hit from Ruvalcaba chased Andersen and Carter Allen greeted Teron Williams with a two-run home run to push the KWU lead to 6-3.

Bellevue got a spark in the home half when Hansen singled to left and advanced to third on a defensive miscue before Elsner chased him home with a ground ball.

Williams worked around a one-out bunt single to give the BU bats one more chance.

Lacey led off the inning with a base hit to finally push KWU starter Brett Maddock from the game. Ritter Steinmann came on in relief and induced a pair of ground balls and strikeout to record his ninth save for the Coyotes.

Parker McMan turned in seven quality innings for Bellevue on the hill but did not factor in the decision. The Bruin right-hander limited Kansas Wesleyan to two runs (one earned) while scattering seven hits and striking out six. He did not walk a batter.

Maddock (12-2) delivered eight strong innings on the bump for the Coyotes. He limited the Bruins to four runs on seven hits in a 109-pitch outing that saw him strikeout three Bruins and issue one walk.

Andersen took the loss for Bellevue, falling to 3-1 on the season.