BU opens up four-game NSAA lead with sweep of Mayville State

OMAHA, Neb. -- On a day where 39 runs were scored, the Bellevue University baseball team completed a four-game North Star Athletic Association sweep of Mayville State University on Senior Day from John Stella Field at Brown Park.

Bellevue moves their record to 28-11 on the year, improving to 12-0 in NSAA play and extending their win streak to 16 games. The losses drop Mayville State to 11-23 and 3-9 in North Star action.

Following the game, Bellevue recognized their 15-member senior class in the annual Senior Day ceremonies. Jayden Vinson, CJ Townsend, Elijah Tanner, Logan Grant, Parker McMan, Jace Wessels, Jake Lacey, Balas Buckmaster, Jordan Brandenburg, Brady Toth, Austin Shever, Gavin Wuschke, Steven Elsner, Teron Williams, and Jared Eifler were each recognized for their contributions to the program in their time at BU.

Game One: BU 15, MSU 7

Bellevue's first five hitters reached as they sent 10 men to the plate in a six-run first inning in which they recorded three hits and were aided by a Comet error. Elijah Tanner and Balas Buckmaster had an RBI-single and two-run knock, respectively, in the frame while a fielder's choice and a pair of sac flies brought home the other three runs. Bellevue made Calvin Watkins throw 25 pitches in the frame as they blitzed him with an early lead.

That was more than enough run support for Kenji Miller who limited Mayville State to two runs though just one was earned on five hits in his six innings of work. Miller improved to 6-0, striking out five without issuing a walk on the afternoon.

Watkins (2-4) took the loss for Mayville State. He worked 3.2 innings, allowing 11 runs (9 ER) on eight hits, striking out one and walking three.

A two-out single in the third from Cameron Goff and a fielding error one batter later saw the Comets get on the board, cutting the deficit to 6-2.

The Bruins tacked five more runs on in the fourth inning. Tanner singled home a run ahead of an RBI-double from Anthony Lind with the big blow coming on Ayden Makarus' seventh home run of the season, a three-run blast to extend the lead to 11-2.

A three-spot in the fifth pushed the lead to 14-2 and Jordan Brandenburg belted a solo home run in the sixth to finish off the scoring for BU.

Kevin Conway singled home a run in the seventh for Mayville and Jalen Denton hit a grand slam to account to the final margin.

Game Two: BU 9, MSU 8

Kevin Conway put the Comets on the board first with a solo home run just two batters into the game. Riley Rankin doubled home Jack McQueen an inning later to double the lead before Bellevue answered.

Ayden Makarus got the Bruins on the board in the bottom of the second with his second long ball of the day.

An RBI-single from Elijah Tanner in the third tied the game before a five-run fourth put the Bruins in front for good.

Scott Hansen, Steven Elsner, and Tanner all had run-scoring singles in the frame. Logan Grant and Anthony Lind each chased a run home with fielder's choices in the inning.

Jalen Denton broke up the Bruins' scoring monopoly with a solo home run in the sixth and Quinn Pershing chased in another with a sac fly to make it a 7-4 ballgame and Chris Shopbell made it interesting with a single back up the middle to cut the MSU deficit to two runs.

Bellevue had chances to further distance themselves but through five innings, the Bruins left nine runners on base. They did add on in the sixth, courtesy of a two-run pinch-hit triple from Jordan Brandenburg, but again left a couple runners aboard.

Gavin Wuschke (6-2) worked five innings to earn the victory. He allowed five runs on eight hits, struck out three, and walked two.

Brady Toth worked a pair of scoreless innings to get the game to the eighth.

Brody Burnette came on with a runner on first as he worked an eventful eighth with Mayville loading the bases with just one out, but escaped harm not allowing a run.

Riley Rankin popped a three-run home run in the ninth to make it a one-run game, 9-8 with nobody out. Two quick outs followed by a pair of singles saw the Bruins turn to reliever Teron Williams to come on and finish the game. Williams induced a ground out off the bat of Carson Lundmark to end the game and secure his third save of the season.

Jaxon Parker (1-6) wore the loss for the Comets. He was charged with allowing three runs on six hits in three innings and struck out a pair.

Up Next:

The Bruins wrap up their 17-game home-stand with a 16-1 record and are now 18-2 at home this year, including a 16-2 mark at Brown Park. They hit the road on Tuesday, Apr. 15 for a 3 p.m. non-conference game at (RV) Doane University (21-10/8-8 GPAC).