Box Score The Wayland Baptist baseball team got back on the winning track Tuesday, winning a non-conference contest against McMurry University, 14-3, at Wilder Field. Sophomore Ben Christian of Lubbock hit a grand slam and the Pioneers got a solid starting pitching performance out of senior Gabe Sandersius.
WBU belted out 14 hits against the school from Abilene. The middle of the order had nine of the hits, three each from Miguel Pagan, Kevin Hennessey and Brian Embery. Two of Pagan's hits were doubles, and Hennessey knocked in four runs, two on a homer in the seventh. Also going deep for the Pioneers was junior left fielder Nic Shadle who hit his first of the year in the eighth.
Shortstop Eddie Allen landed on base four times. The senior had two hits, including a double, walked twice, and swiped his 11th stolen base of the season.
Sandersius pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits. The University of Dallas transfer walked three and struck out four. The Pioneer defense played flawlessly behind all five WBU pitchers and turned two double plays.
McMurry scored their three runs on nine hits. They were issued seven walks by the Wayland pitching staff, but also struck out seven times. Catcher Zach Rossmann had a two-run homer in the seventh to finally get the visitors on the board.
WBU, which evened up its record at 10-10, returns to Sooner Athletic Conference action this weekend when the Pioneers travel to Bethany, Okla. to take on Southern Nazarene University in a three-game series. Action on both Friday and Saturday is scheduled to begin at 1 pm.
