Box Score TUCSON, Ariz. – Wayland Baptist scored three runs to take the lead in the top of the ninth but then gave up two scores in the bottom of the inning as the Pioneers dropped their final game of the Tucson Invitational to Valley City State (N.D.) here Friday morning, 8-7.
The Pioneers (26-8) trailed 6-2 after four innings but got within two going into the ninth when they came through with three runs to take a 7-6 advantage.
Caleb Davidson and
Ernesto Lizardi got the final-inning rally going with back-to-back lead-off doubles before a single by
Austin Davis prompted a pitching change for the Vikings. A wild pitch preceded an RBI-groundout by
Hector Romero that tied it.
Following a strikeout, a double to left by
Aaron Vallance put the Pioneers on top by one, leaving Wayland three outs away from its fifth win in six games in Tucson.
But Valley City State (6-15) wasn't done.
Two lead-off singles brought
Paxton Bartley on to replace
Mason Taylor, who pitched four innings in relief. A passed ball prompted an intentional walk to load the bases with no outs, then a fielder's choice drove in a run that tied it.
Pinch-hitter Jake Rambow then delivered the game-winning hit, a walk-off single to right that won it for the Vikings.
The loss came after Wayland swept Mayville St., N.D., in a doubleheader Thursday.
"We got off the field about 9 p.m. (Thursday) then were back out there for batting practice at 7 this morning," Wayland coach
Brad Bass said. "The guys had enough energy to fight back and have a lead in the ninth but couldn't hold it.
"The more we're in those situations the better we'll be. When we get into tournament play that happens; sometimes it's a short night. This will help us be prepared for that when the time comes again."
Wayland defeated Valley City State in their tournament-opening game on Tuesday, 8-5.
Three errors hurt the Pioneers, allowing for three unearned runs. Wayland ended with a dozen hits, two more than the Vikings who had one error. Vallance,
Gregg Veneklasen,
Caleb Davidson, Lizardi and Davis all had two hits.
Jake Doyle got the start for WBU, giving up three runs on two hits in three innings.
"That was his first start, and first time to pitch, since surgery last spring, and he looked really good," Bass said. "I feel like some good stuff is going to come from that."
The Vikings got to first reliever
Logan Evans for three runs and three hits in the fourth before Taylor (3-2) entered. He lasted four innings and gave up two runs on four hits. Both Doyle and Taylor struck out four each.
"We used six starters in four days and got to use our whole pitching staff, which is a good thing," Bass said. "For the most part we were happy."
As for the Spring Break tournament itself, Bass also was pleased with the Pioneers' performance.
"We enjoyed the trip. We got a lot of guys playing time who hadn't played in a while."
Ranked the equivalent of 36
th in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, Wayland plays its next seven games at Wilder Field, beginning with a rematch against Lubbock Christian at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Pioneers topped the Chaparrals, ranked No. 6 in NCAA Division II, 8-5 on March 7.
Wayland returns to Sooner Athletic Conference play next weekend against No. 24 Science and Arts of Oklahoma (20-5), playing a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Friday, March 25 before a single game at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26.
