DAVENPORT – Jansel Encarnacion (Jr.-Azua, Dominican Republic) allowed three hits over 5 1/3 innings and combined with two other pitchers on a shutout as Iowa Wesleyan College won the opening game of a doubleheader against St. Ambrose University Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park.
The Tigers defeated the Fighting Bees 5-0 in the opening game of the Midwest Collegiate Conference twinbill. St. Ambrose came back for a 3-2 win in the second game, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to drop Wesleyan to 10-14 overall, 2-1 in conference play.
IWC led from the second inning on in the first game, collecting 11 hits while Tiger pitchers stifled the SAU bats. Encarnacion, Jason Dias (Sr.-San Jose, Calif.) and Edgar Hernandez (Sr.-San Bruno, Calif.) combined for the shutout, striking out a total of seven and walking three.
Wesleyan took the lead in the second with a pair of runs, including a home run by Pedro Hernandez (Sr.-Quebradillas, Puerto Rico). The Tigers held that 2-0 lead until the seventh when three more runners scored, with Nelcicio York (Sr.-St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles) driving in one and Michael Rosa (Fr.-Santiago, Dominican Republic) doubling home a pair for the final margin.
The Tigers were unable to sustain that momentum throughout the second game, taking the lead early before St. Ambrose came back late. IWC took a 2-1 lead after three innings with Dick Bargewell (Sr.-Burlington, Wash.) and Marco Prieto (So.-Toa Baja Puerto Rico) driving in runs, but SAU tied the game in the bottom of the fifth when Jeff Gauley doubled in a run.
The Bees took advantage of a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh to score the winning run, as Zachary Krisciunas walked, moved to second on a sacrifice and advanced to third on a passed ball. Gauley then delivered a sacrifice fly to center to score Krisciunas with the winning run.
Bryson Griffin (Jr.-Provo, Utah), Josh Sturges (Jr.-Murray, Utah) and Edder Morales (Sr.-Barquisimeto, Venezuela) all had two hits in the second game to lead the offense. Rickey Christou (Jr.-Brantford, Ontario) took the loss on the mound, allowing one run in 2/3 inning pitched.
The Tigers will be back home on Wednesday for an MCC doubleheader against Clarke College. Game time for the opener at the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex will be 5 p.m.
For more information regarding the IWC basketball programs or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; aglatczak@iwc.edu e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
Box score Game 1 IWC 5 SAU 0
Box score Game 2 SAU 3 IWC 2
