Written by: Nicholas Sarysz
The Western’s men’s baseball team just completed a five-game sweep over their in-conference opponent, Montana State Billings, bringing their current win streak to 10 games. Both of the Wolves’ wins during their home double-header on Saturday came in walk-off fashion.
More importantly, the wins on Saturday clinched the Greater Northwest Athletic Conference, or GNAC, regular-season title, with a current record of 19-8 in conference play, 26-12 overall.
On top of the overall team success, Seniors Jacob Maiben and Chris Hardin were both named GNAC players of the week. Maiben, an outfielder, went .619 AVG, 13-for-21, with two triples, two doubles, nine RBI and eight runs against Montana State Billings. He also boasts outstanding season statistics, batting a .407 AVG, 57/140, and driving in 24 runs.
Hardin, a starting pitcher, was on the mound this past Friday, April 28, — throwing a seven-inning complete, giving up two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk to pick up the win. He holds a 6-3 record overall this year, with a 4.43 ERA, allowing just 12 walks while striking out 41 batters.
The Wolves head to Saint Martin’s University on Thursday, May 4 for a four-game, two-day series to close out the regular season. On the following Thursday, May 11, they will head back to Saint Martin’s University for the GNAC Championships. The top three teams in the conference regular-season standings qualify for the tournament, and the winner will get the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. All of the championship games will be streamed on GNAC.tv.
Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu
