Baseball Shuts Out DWU to Open Series

CRETE, Neb. – Doane University opened its GPAC doubleheader in dominant fashion on Friday, rolling past Dakota Wesleyan University 18-0 in seven innings at the Doane Ballfield Complex.

The Tigers wasted no time setting the tone, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the first inning. After a leadoff walk and hit-by-pitch put runners aboard, Tanner Nelson delivered a two-RBI single to left center to give Doane an early lead. Later in the frame, Brayden Jones launched a two-run home run to left, capping the inning and pushing the advantage to 5-0.

Doane added to its lead in the second inning when Grant Sommers doubled down the left field line to bring home another run, extending the margin to 6-0.

The Tigers broke the game open in the fourth inning with a six-run outburst. Johnny Vulcano highlighted the rally with a two-RBI double, followed by an RBI double from Jones. Moments later, Adam Vulcano delivered the biggest swing of the inning, blasting a two-run home run to left center to push the lead to 12-0.

Doane continued to pile on in the fifth inning. A groundout by Adam Wilmore plated a run before Sam Kwapnioski added an RBI single. The Tigers then struck again in the sixth inning when Wilmore crushed a grand slam to right field, stretching the lead to 18-0 and putting the game out of reach.

On the mound, Kaden Crawford was dominant for Doane. The right-hander tossed six shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out 10 and walking one. He did not allow a hit in the game until the fifth inning. Carter Baete closed out the final inning to secure the shutout.

Offensively, Doane tallied 12 hits and showed patience at the plate with 10 walks and five hit-by-pitches. Jones led the way with a home run, double, and three RBIs, while Wilmore drove in five runs, including the sixth-inning grand slam. Sommers added two hits and an RBI, and both Vulcano brothers contributed multi-RBI performances.

Dakota Wesleyan managed just four hits in the contest and struck out 12 times against the Tigers' pitching staff.

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