MOUNT PLEASANT – Dick Bargewell (Sr.-Burlington, Wash.) hit a game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, capping a comeback from a two-run deficit in the final inning to complete Iowa Wesleyan College’s sweep of a doubleheader against Clarke College Friday evening.
The Tigers came back from a 5-3 deficit going into the seventh to win 8-5 in the second game of the doubleheader and follow up a 6-3 win over the Crusaders in the first game. IWC clinched a sweep of the three-game season series against Clarke and improved to 4-1 in Midwest Collegiate Conference play (12-14 overall).
The Tigers also defeated Clarke in walk-off fashion for the second time in a week, following a rally from a 7-6 deficit going into the ninth inning of a nine-inning game last Friday that was capped by Pedro Hernandez (Sr.-Quebradillas, Puerto Rico) hitting a bases-loaded two-run double for an 8-7 IWC win.
This time the Tigers had to rally in a seven-inning game that they led early on before the Crusaders pulled ahead to a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning. Wesleyan loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh, though, thanks to a walk, an error and a hit batsman. Josh Sturges (Jr.-Murray, Utah) then reached on a fielder’s choice to score Nelcicio York (Sr.-St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles), and with one out Edder Morales (Sr.-Barquisimeto, Venezuela) singled to left to plate Adam Dubuque (Jr.-St. Louis, Mo.) with the tying run.
With runners at first and second, Bargewell came up next and after working the count full crushed a towering fly to left field that easily cleared the fence. It was the first homer of the season for the Utah Valley University transfer and improved IWC to 5-0 at home this season, with three of those wins coming in the Tigers’ final at bat.
Wesleyan won the opener in more convincing fashion, scoring three runs in the first inning and running out to a 5-1 lead after three innings. Morales hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first and added an RBI single in the third inning in a game in which all of the scoring was done in the first four innings.
Travis Parker (Sr.-Taylor Ridge, Ill.) carried the load on the mound for the Tigers in the opener, going the distance and allowing six hits and three runs while striking out three. Parker threw his second complete game of the season and picked up his team-leading third win.
Morales and Sturges combined for seven hits over the two games to lead the IWC hitters. Lino Sampson (So.-Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela) also had a hit and RBI in the first game and picked up the win in the second game, pitching a scoreless seventh inning and receiving his first win this year. Clarke dropped to 11-10 overall this season, 2-3 in the MCC. Sean O’Connor took the loss in the nightcap, throwing 2 1/3 innings and allowing five runs.
The Tigers continue a busy weekend with a three-game series against Mount Mercy College starting Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. at the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.
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 6 Clarke 3
Box score Game 2 IWC 8 Clarke 5
