BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (3-17-10) — A tenth inning lead off double by senior catcher Scott Carmichael, put the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles perfect position Wednesday afternoon, as they sneaked by the University of Mobile (Ala.), 9-8.
Following Carmichael’s double to left field, junior Jake Planich entered the game to run for Carmichael. Planich advanced to third base on a Ryan Hutchings bunt hit, eventually scoring the go ahead run on a fielder’s choice off the bat of JD Nalder.
Despite not reaching base in the tenth inning, Nalder had a nice day, finishing the contest 4-for-6, including a double, with two runs batted in and a run scored. First baseman Jake Palese had a perfect day, going 3-for-3, with a walk and three hits.
In the top of the third inning, Nick Palese took advantage of a Riley Murr single, taking a full count pitch over the right field wall, giving the Eagles a 5-1 lead to that point. Nick Palese finished the game with the homerun, a double, and two runs batted in.
In the top of the ninth, down a run to Mobile, Jake Palese singled in Murr and Josh Hemsoth to take the lead. However, in the bottom of the inning, Mobile was able to get a run across on the sacrifice fly, tying the game.
Picking up the decision in the contest for the Eagles was Chris Needham after two innings on the mound. Needham replaced Nick Randolph who pitched five innings, giving up just three hits and two earned runs.
The Eagles (8-14) have a break on Thursday before heading to Central Christian College (5-11) in McPherson, Kan. for double-headers on Friday and Saturday. This weekend is the opening weekend for the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference.