Box Score Middlebury pounded out a season-high 19 hits and scored five runs in the final two innings, earning a 13-10 victory over Gustavus Adolphus on Wednesday in Arizona. Middlebury (3-5) remains out west, facing NESCAC West opponent Williams for a three-game set. The opening game of the series is set for Friday at 4:00 p.m.
The Panthers jumped the Gusties (8-5) in their initial at bat, scoring three times in the top of the first. Sam Graf doubled to left field and touched home plate on a bases-loaded walk by Andrew Hennings, while Grant Elgarten drove in a pair of runs with a single to center field for a 3-0 lead.
Middlebury doubled its lead in the third inning, starting with a lead-off home run to left field by Kevin Woodring. Gray Goolsby extended the lead to 5-0 with a RBI double to left field and scored one batter later on a Johnny Read base hit.
In the fourth, the Panthers pushed their advantage to 8-0, following RBI singles by Justin Han and Goolsby.
Gustavus Adolphus made it an 8-7 game in the fifth inning, scoring seven times. Matt Berkner and Isiah Welckle each had key hits in the inning, with Berkner plating two runs via a double and Welckle driving in two more with a single.
The Gusties tied the game with a single run in the sixth, but Middlebury came back with a pair of runs in the eighth, regaining the lead. Raj Palekar gave the Panthers a one-run edge with a single to left field to score Hennings, who got aboard with a one-out single. Ryan Rizzo followed with a run-scoring base hit to center for a 10-8 lead.
Middlebury added some more insurance in the top of the ninth, starting with a two-run double to left field by Han. Han didn't remain on base long, scoring one batter later when Hennings singled to right field for a 13-8 lead.
The Gusties trimmed two runs off the deficit in the bottom of the inning, but the Panthers didn't allow them to get any closer, making the final 13-10.
Woodring had a big game at the plate for Middlebury, going 3-5 with a homer, four runs scored and a run batted in. Graf went 3-6, while Goolsby, Hennings and Han each recorded a pair of hits. Han also drove in three runs and Goolsby had two RBI.
Middlebury used eight pitchers in the game with Jake Stalcup (1-1) earning the win, throwing two innings and allowing one run on one hit.
Ryan Moriarty went 2-2 for the Gusties and Berkner collected three RBI, while Jacob Braun (1-2) took the loss on the mound, allowing five runs in two innings of work.
