NEW ALBANY, Ind. – IU Southeast needed extra innings but was able to sweep a doubleheader over No. 15 Point Park 5-4 in 10 innings and 2-1 in eight innings on Friday.
With the sweep, IU Southeast can clinch the River States Conference regular season title and an automatic bid the NAIA National Tournament with a win on Saturday.
In game one, the Grenadiers fell behind 4-0 after six innings of play but had multiple chances to put runs on the board. IU Southeast left 12 runners on base in the contest.
The Grenadiers (34-8, 21-2 RSC) had runners in scoring position in the third, fourth , fifth and sixth innings but could not score.
IU Southeast got on the board in the bottom of the seventh when Tanner Leenknecht reached on a throwing error Erik Montero's throwing error. Santrel Farmer pinch ran for him and advanced to single on a single by Nolan Rogers, and third on wild pitch. He scored on a groundout from Drew Hensley.
Point Park (32-7, 19-4 RSC) responded in the eighth with runners on first and second and one out but starter Ryne Underwood was able to get the lead runner on a fielder's choice and struck out Ben Herstine looking to end the inning.
The Grenadiers tied the game in the ninth when they loaded the bases and Jordan Branz hit a sacrifice fly to right-center to score Cody Maloon who had singled. After Josh Beams was hit by a pitch to load the bases again, Richard Rodriguez hit a two-run single to tie the game.
Andrew Yates retired the Pioneers in order in the 10th to set the stage for the Grenadiers to complete the comeback.
Tanner Leenknecht reached base on a dropped pop-up by Andres Herrera. Nolan Rogers followed with a bunt base hit to move Farmer to second. Jordan Branz singled through the hole at shortstop to record the game-winning hit.
Andrew Yates (5-1) earned the win in an inning of relief. Addison Domingo took the loss.
Jordan Branz was 3-for-4 with two RBI in the win.
In game two, IU Southeast opened the scoring when Branz doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Korbin Williams hit a sacrifice fly to get the Grenadiers on the board.
Point Park would tie the game in the on a wild pitch by starter Trevor Reynolds.
Both teams traded chances to take the lead but could not convert until the Grenadiers came through in the bottom of the eighth.
Josh Beams singled to right and was injured on the play, which led to Tyler Warmath pinch-running. Richard Rodriguez got a sac bunt down to advance Warmath to second. Korbin Williams doubled to center to bring in Warmath for the walkoff double.
Yates once again got the win and Domingo took the loss.
IU Southeast will conclude the series with Point Park Saturday at noon. Senior Day activities will take place at 11:30 a.m.
