Everything clicked for the baseball team Wednesday against Bates, as the bats came alive to score 14 runs, starter Eric Wdowiak ’06 and the pitching staff tossed eight scoreless innings, and Jeff Maier ’06 broke Wesleyan’s all-time hits record.
“Translation: swagger,” said Graham Douds ’08.
Wesleyan’s offensive barrage started in the first inning when designated hitter Chris Simpson ’08 drove home leadoff hitter Anthony Gray ’06 with a single up the middle.
The Cardinals then continued the attack in the third inning by batting around and scoring six runs on the helpless Bobcats. Maier had an RBI double to break Bill Robinson’s ’03 Cardinals career hits record.
The seven run lead that Wesleyan built up by the end of the third inning was more than enough offense to preserve the win, as Wdowiak masterfully kept the Bates bats at bay, spreading out two hits over five innings.
“Getting through the early innings has been a challenge for our staff lately, and Wdowiak did a great job of getting Bates out one-two-three early and setting the tone for a great all-around pitching performance,” Douds said.
Strong relief from Kit Tholen ’08 and Charlie Munzig ’07 helped to preserve the win. Chris Waelsch ’07 and Jesse Leavitt ’06, who each had three hits and two RBI, turned in strong performances as well. Josh Corson, in his season debut, contributed three RBI with a bases-clearing double.
Wesleyan’s performance was a monumental one as the team enters the stretch run of the season and prepares for Hamilton College this weekend.
“We were able to break out our slump and turn the corner as a team,” Simpson said.
After demolishing Bates, spirits for baseball are high, as the Cards look to climb up in the NESCAC standings.
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