PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Christian University baseball program tested itself on opening weekend and it paid dividends as LCU picked up an NAIA Top-15 win for the second day in-a-row as they were shutout in the opener (2-0) before using a three-run third to triumph over #12 Kansas Wesleyan in the finale (4-3).
 
The Basics:
 

• Game 1 (7 Innings)
  • #12 Kansas Wesleyan – 2
  • Louisiana Christian – 0

 

• Game 2 (7 Innings)
  • Louisiana Christian – 4
  • #12 Kansas Wesleyan – 3

 

• Records
  • Louisiana Christian (2-2, 0-0 Red River)
  • #12 Kansas Wesleyan (1-3, 0-0 KCAC)

 

• Location
  • Pineville, Louisiana – Billy Allgood Field

  

• Series History (Since 2003)
  • Series Tied 1-1 (50%)

 

• Winning Streak Coming In
  • First Meeting

 
Wildcats Top Performers:
 

• Jake Messina, who did not play in game one, caught fire at the plate when given the opportunity, singling twice and smoking a double during his three at-bats, with his RBI-single in the third being the deciding run.

 

• Kade Linn, a converted relief pitcher turned starter, made just his second start over 21 appearances and picked up his third career dub, posting career-highs in both innings pitched (4.2) as well as strikeouts (8) while ceding just a pair of hits and runs each.

 

• Hunter Gotreaux scored half of the team's runs on Saturday, crossing the dish twice, cranking two singles, stealing a base and walking once.

 

• Cowan Alfonso came on in the seventh and final frame for the second time in as many days to notch his first career save as a Wildcat, striking out a pair of Yotes with just one hit allowed, but left him stranded to seal the victory.

 

• Both Coleman Haltom (1.2 IP) and Braden McLin (1.1 IP) also put up zeroes in the run column with the former fanning two.

 

• Jacob Bareswill pitched well enough to get the win, whiffing six over four spotless innings with three singles and two walks allowed.

 

• Gavin Vordik had multiple knocks in both contests, going 4-for-6 (.667) including a double, a ribbie, and a run scored.

 

• Logan Bertucci and Chris Kelley picked up a double apiece as the latter's drove home Braden Trull as the last two extra-base hits of the doubleheader.

 
Next:
  

• The John Melvin Millers from Crowley, Louisiana have been cleared by the NAIA as a countable opponent this season and they will visit "The Hill" beginning on Friday at 2/5 p.m. for a three-game set.

 

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