Baseball Posts Doubleheader Sweep Over Walsh

MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University baseball team picked up a doubleheader sweep over Walsh Saturday afternoon (April 11). NU earned a 9-3 win in game one and a 7-4 victory in game two.

The Timberwolves have now won 10 of their last 11 games to improve to 19-13 overall, 12-4 in the GLIAC. NU maintains a two-game lead in the GLIAC North Division over Grand Valley State (10-6). Walsh falls to 15-15 overall, 8-8 in the GLIAC.

Northwood jumped out early in game one to take control, plating four runs in the first inning. Walsh fought back, eventually cutting the Timberwolves lead down to 5-3 heading to the bottom of the fourth. But Northwood put the game away with a big fourth, scoring four runs to round out the scoring.

While both teams finished with seven hits, Northwood drew four more walks and Walsh committed four errors. Those miscues allowed the Timberwolves to score six unearned runs in the game.

Four different Timberwolves drove in a pair of runs in the contest – Tanner McCarn (Olivet, Mich./Kellog CC), Zyke Bailey (Taylor, Mich./H.S. Truman), Wayne Moak (Marysville, Mich.) and Justin Zyvon (Sterling Heights, Mich./Macomb CC). Dustin Lee (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) went 2-3 with a pair of runs scored. Luke Bivens (Battle Creek, Mich./Lakeview) improved to 4-1 with a complete game effort. He allowed two earned runs in seven innings while striking out a pair.

It was the Cavaliers who had the early advantage in game two, only to see the Timberwolves earn a comeback win. Walsh plated a pair of unearned runs in the first inning of game two and eventually led 4-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth inning. NU began its comeback in the fourth, scoring two. The Timberwolves then added one in the sixth, two in the seven and one in the eighth to close out the scoring.

As in game one, they key to the win for Northwood was beyond hitting. Walsh finished with a 12-11 advantage in hits, but NU drew three more walks (5-2) and while WU had three more errors (4-1).

Nick Barrientos (Zionsville, Ind./Danville CC) and Grant Bridgewater (Bay City, Mich./Western) each had two hits with a run scored and an RBI.  Daniel Pulver (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.) had two RBIs and a run scored, while Justin Zyvon (Sterling Heights, Mich./Macomb CC) had a pair of hits. Travis Smith (Clare, Mich.) had a key triple in the seventh that led to the game-winning run. Larry Wood (Essexville, Mich./Garber) came out of the bullpen to pick up his second win of the season. He did not allow a run in 3 2/3 innings of work. Shawn Larner (Gladwin, Mich.) got the final two outs to pick up his second save of the season.

Northwood and Walsh will round out their weekend series with a doubleheader Sunday (April 12). First pitch is set for Noon.