Opening Weekend Series Finale Ends with Pioneers Dropping Doubleheader at Ave Maria

AVE MARIA, FL. --- The Wayland Baptist baseball team wrapped up a challenging doubleheader Friday afternoon at Bowie's Ballpark, showing resilience and offensive flashes despite dropping both games to Ave Maria.

 
Game One – Ave Maria 9, Wayland Baptist 6
 
Wayland Baptist stayed within striking distance throughout the opener, finishing with 11 hits and a strong late push before falling 9–6.

After Ave Maria jumped out to an early lead, the Pioneers chipped away with steady offense. Adonis Bernal drove in a run with an RBI single, while Daniel Blickhan added an RBI double. Wayland's biggest rally came in the seventh inning, when the Pioneers plated three runs, highlighted by Aidan McLaughlin's two-run single to left field that brought Wayland within three.

On the mound, Wayland used four pitchers, with Wellington Vargas providing key innings in relief and Austin Cole closing the game with a scoreless frame. Despite the comeback attempt, Ave Maria held on to secure the win.

 
Game Two – Ave Maria 12, Wayland Baptist 6 (Called After Rain)
 
The nightcap saw Wayland again produce 11 hits, but a decisive seventh inning swung the game in Ave Maria's favor before heavy rain eventually ended play.

The Pioneers delivered several standout offensive moments. Sinclair Pimentel launched a two-run home run in the fifth to keep Wayland within one, while Rafaeleduardo Garcia had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Wayland also added runs via sacrifice flies from Bernal and Adrian Lara, along with an RBI walk from Raphael Beltre.

Wayland pitchers battled through difficult conditions, with Antonio Mejia striking out five over four innings and Tyler Thompson adding 2.1 innings of relief. However, a five-run seventh inning by Ave Maria created separation, and the game was eventually called after rain in the eighth.

 
Up Next

The Pioneers will host the home opener on Thursday, January 29^th, when they play a doubleheader against Our Lady of the Lake University. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM.