AUBURNDALE, Fla. — The Nebraska Wesleyan University baseball team continued its hot start to the season, defeating SUNY Poly 17-7 in seven innings on Monday at the RussMatt Invitational. The win moves the Prairie Wolves to 6-0, marking their best start to a season since 1991.

How It Happened:
SUNY Poly struck first, scoring a run in the top of the first inning on a sacrifice fly. The Wildcats extended their lead in the second, capitalizing on an NWU error and a series of singles to plate four more runs. Jake Gerardis put the Prairie Wolves on the board in the bottom of the second with a solo home run to left field, but SUNY Poly responded with two more runs in the third to take a 7-1 lead.

Nebraska Wesleyan flipped the script in the bottom of the fourth, erupting for seven runs on five hits. Tyler Merkel delivered the big blow with a three-run homer to left field, bringing the game within one still trailing 6-7. The Prairie Wolves took the lead later in the inning on an error on a hard hit ground ball by Brady Bell.

NWU broke the game open in the seventh, scoring seven runs on four hits to trigger the run rule. Carter Betts and Duncan Ortega each tripled, driving in three runs combined, while Easton Johnson and Tommy Fiocchi added RBI singles to seal the victory.

Max Brammier earned the win in relief, allowing two runs over two innings while striking out two. Trevor Storer started the game, giving up five runs (one earned) over two innings. Bryson Knapp and Cohle Sherman combined for three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out two and allowing zero hits between the two of them.

The Prairie Wolves racked up 17 hits, with Duncan Ortega and Carter Betts leading the way with three hits apiece. Tyler Merkel, Easton Johnson, and Brady Bell each drove in three runs, while Jake Gerardis reached base four times, including three walks and his second-inning homer.

Notable Stats:

• NWU Batting: Duncan Ortega (3-4, 3B, RBI); Carter Betts (3-4, 2 3B, 2 RBI); Tyler Merkel (1-4, HR, 3 RBI).

• NWU Pitching: Max Brammier (W, 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 K). 

Up Next:
Nebraska Wesleyan returns to action on Tuesday with a matchup against Greenville University. First pitch is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. CT. The Prairie Wolves will also play Minnesota-Morris tomorrow at 11:30 am CT.