MITCHELL, S.D (uj.edu) — Matt Meraz (JR/Aurora, CO) went 3-for-3 and drove in three runs, including the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh, as the University of Jamestown baseball team defeated Dakota Wesleyan University 4-3 Tuesday afternoon.
The Jimmies took three of four games from the Tigers and improve to 18-10 overall and 8-4 in Great Plains Athletic Conference action. Dakota Wesleyan falls to 11-16 overall and 5-7 in the GPAC.
DWU’s Ethan Davis and UJ’s Tanner Roundy (SR/Henderson, NV) traded zeroes on the scoreboard as the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth.
Grant Okawa (JR/Mississauga, ON) singled with one out, then one batter later Meraz homered to make it 2-0 in favor of the Jimmies. Jaden Yackley (SR/Lynnwood, Wash.) doubled in another run as UJ pushed the lead to 3-0.
The Tigers got back-to-back singles from Drew Demers and Chandler Bakley to open the seventh against Roundy, then Reed Harter connected on a three-run home run to tie the game. Joe Harris (SO/Recluse, WY) (3-1) relieved Roundy and struck out the side to end the DWU rally.
In the Jamestown seventh, Roundy led off with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Drake Pilat (SR/Winnipeg, MB, Canada) singled, moving Roundy to third. Grant Okawa grounded out but allowed pinch-runner Ben Pedigo (SO/Olympia, WA) to move up a base. Meraz then came through with a single to bring home Roundy and give the Jimmies their third straight victory and sixth in their last seven games.
Pilat, Roundy, and Okawa all went 2-for-4. Chase Hacker (JR/Millcreek, WA), Braxton Hewitt (FR/Carrington, ND), Brock Anderson (SO/Cheyenne, WY), and Jared Bentley (JR/Washougal, WA) also had hits for Jamestown.
Next up for the Jimmies is a doubleheader at Dordt (Iowa) College on April 6.
