Sommers Walk-off Home Runs Extends Win Streak to 10

CRETE, Neb. — The Doane baseball team capped a four-game series sweep of Clarke (Iowa) in dramatic fashion Friday afternoon, walking off the Pride 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth at the Doane Ballfield Complex. The victory extended the Tigers' winning streak to 10 games as Doane improved to 11-2 on the season.

After Clarke took the lead with a three-run eighth inning, Doane answered with three runs of its own in the bottom half.. The Tigers need to see only one pitch in the ninth to plate the winning run and complete the comeback and secure the sweep.

Doane finished with 13 hits in the contest, highlighted by multi-hit performances from several hitters. Grant Sommers went 2-for-5 with a double, home run, and RBI, while Carter Roth drove in three runs on a 2-for-4 day. Johnny Vulcano added two hits, including a triple, and Jett Grossart scored twice after reaching base three times.

The Tigers struck first in the opening inning on a solo home run from Sam Kwapnioski, but Clarke answered with two runs in the second to take a brief lead. Doane pulled even in the bottom half when Roth delivered an RBI single.

The game remained tight through the middle innings with Clarke taking a one-run lead in the sixth before the Tigers tied the game in the seventh on an RBI single from Max Harris, making it 3-3. Clarke responded with a three-run eighth to move ahead 6-3, but Doane answered immediately with a three-spot of its own, highlighted by Roth's two-run single and a two-out base hit by Jordan Bond.

After a scoreless top of the ninth, Doane closed out the game as Sommers sent the first pitch he saw over the left field wall and send the Tigers off with their second walk-off win of the series.

On the mound, Nicolas Yard started and worked five innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Carter Navin earned the win in relief, tossing two strong innings and striking out three while allowing just one hit.

The four-game sweep marked Doane's second series sweep of the young season and continued the program's strong start, with the Tigers winning 10 straight games dating back to the opening weekend.

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