Wayne, Neb. --- A school record 15-run third inning fueled a 22-2 win in the opener for the Wayne State College baseball team Tuesday afternoon/evening over Minnesota Duluth followed by a 9-7 victory over the Bulldogs in the second game that was halted after seven innings due to darkness at the Pete Chapman Baseball Complex in Wayne. WSC is now 11-15 and 5-7 in NSIC play while UMD is 12-15 and 5-8 in league games.

A new school record 15-run third inning capped the 22-2 win for the Wildcats in the opener. WSC scored four runs in the first, two in the second and put the game away with a 15-run outburst.

The inning saw the Wildcats collect nine hits while also taking advantage of two Bulldog errors in the inning. Big hits included a bases-loaded clearing double by Colin Lynam, a three-run triple from Carter Thomas, an RBI double by Braden Cannon and a run-scoring single from Trey Wells, who had two hits in the inning.

WSC held a 20-9 advantage in hits over UMD. Colin Lynam was 3 for 5 with a double and five RBI. Freshman shortstop Quinn McCafferty was 3 for 5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Wells went 3 for 5 with two runs scored and sophomore second baseman Chase Douglas was 3 for 3 with three runs scored.

Thomas was 2 for 4 with a triple, four RBI and four runs scored while Hunter Babe added two hits.

Sophomore starter Nathan Anderson was the beneficiary of the run support and earned the win in three innings of work. Reliever Adam Eggert fired the final four innings to earn the save.

The second game saw the Wildcats build a 9-4 lead, then hold off a Bulldog rally for a 9-7 win that was called after seven innings due to darkness.

WSC scored single runs in the first and second innings. After UMD plated four runs in the second for a 4-2 lead, the Wildcats came up with five runs in the third for a 7-4 lead. Cannon’s bases-loaded triple was one of two hits in the inning for Wayne State.

Two more runs for the Wildcats in the fourth gave WSC a 9-4 lead. Hunter Babe had an RBI single in the inning.

UMD scored twice in the fourth to cut the ‘Cat advantage to 9-6 and the Bulldogs scored one run in the seventh to close the scoring.

Both teams had nine hits in the game. Colin Lynam was 2 for 4 with a triple and two runs scored. Carter Thomas was 2 for 2 with three runs scored while Cannon had a three-run triple.

Kolt Davis, one of four Wildcat pitchers, earned the win on the mound. He worked two innings of relief replacing starter Ryan Obrecht. Brody Sintek pitched two innings while freshman Braden Cannon came on with the bases loaded in the seventh and struck out two batters to record his fifth save of the season.

Wayne State is at home this weekend, hosting Bemidji State Friday at 1:30 p.m. in a doubleheader followed by a nine-inning game Saturday at noon at the Pete Chapman Baseball Complex in Wayne.