LINCOLN, Neb. -- Sam Ayars laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to drive in Justus Stocks with the game-winning run as Nebraska Wesleyan defeated Midland University 6-5 in a dramatic extra innings baseball game on Saturday afternoon (Apr. 4) at NWU Field.  The Warriors came back to defeat the Prairie Wolves 5-1 in the second game of the doubleheader as the teams split the GPAC series.

NWU had several opportunities to earn the victory in game one, including the 7th inning.  The Prairie Wolves loaded the bases with just one out, but two straight fielder's choice plays sent the game to extra innings.  Neither team was able to get anything in the first extra frame so the game was sent to the 9th inning.  In the top of the 9th, Midland loaded the bases with just one out.  NWU put in relief pitcher Brandon Holscher who struck out the first batter he faced then got a ground ball to third base as John Estudillo got the force at third.

In the bottom of the inning, Chase Powers led off with a single.  He was then forced out on a fielder's choice at second base.  A misplayed grounder at second base put runners at first and second.  Connor Bool was intentionally walked to load the bases.  That brought up Ayars who dropped a perfect bunt down to allow Stocks to score the game-winning run.

Both teams had trouble advancing runners in the game as NWU left 15 runners on base and Midland had nine.  The Warriors finished with 12 total hits compared to 10 for the Prairie Wolves, but Midland did commit four errors.

Nolan Lott pitched 8 1/3 innings for the Prairie Wolves allowing three earned runs with five strikeouts.  Holscher got the final two outs and earned the victory.

Ayars was 2-4 at the plate with three RBI, including a triple and a sacrifice fly.  John Estudillo was 2-4 in his first game back from injury while Powers also had two hits.

Game two was a pitcher's dual the first six innings of the game.  Midland led 2-1 heading into the 7th inning but erupted for three runs in the final inning.  The Prairie Wolves managed just four hits in the game and never posed an offensive threat. 

The lone run of the game for the Prairie Wolves came in the 3rd inning as Sam Ayars walked and scored on a double by Estudillo.

Jordyn Johnson took the loss on the mound for NWU allowing five runs (three earned) in seven innings of work. Johnson's first two runs allowed prior to the 7th inning were both unearned.  NWU finished the game with four total errors.