Box Score

Thanks to a stellar outing by Paul Voelker and another game-winning hit by Mike Wesolowski, the DBU Patriot Baseball Team earned a 1-0 win over Missouri State University, Saturday afternoon at Horner Ballpark. With the win, DBU improves to 31-15 overall, now 9-5 in conference with the Missouri Valley win.
 
In a contest reminiscent of the three-game series at Missouri State earlier this season, the Patriots and Bears completed the game in less than two hours, as both pitchers were in control the majority of the day. DBU earned wins of 1-0, 2-0, and 1-0 back on March 14-15 in Springfield.
 
The Patriots broke through with the game's lone run in the bottom of the sixth, tallying a single run on the Wesolowski single, scoring Nash Knight. Knight reached on a hit by pitch, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Camden Duzenack and to third on a ground out by Drew Turbin.
 
The Bears looked to counter in the seventh, putting their first two runners on base. However, after a failed sacrifice bunt, Voelker got Joey Hawkins to ground into a 4-6-3 double play, ending the threat and protecting the 1-0 DBU lead.
 
Missouri State mounted another rally attempt in the ninth, again putting runners on first and second with nobody out. DBU reliever Brandon Koch then struck out Alex Jefferson, and followed by coaxing another double play, this time off the bat of Conor Smith, ending the contest at 1-0.
 
Voelker improves to 7-4 with the win, scattering six hits over 7 2/3 innings. The junior struck out seven, while walking just one. Koch earns his team-leading seventh save of the season, striking out two in his 1 1/3 innings of work.
 
"Paul was great for us today," said DBU Head Coach Dan Heefner. "When he is in control, there are not many that are better. He couldn't have been better than he was today."
 
The Patriots struggled throughout the day against Bears starter Jon Harris, registering just three hits off the sophomore right-hander. Wesolowski, Justin Wall, and David Martinelli each had one hit, with Wesolowski tallying the only RBI of the contest. Nash Knight reached base twice, scoring once.
 
For Missouri State (19-24, 6-8 MVC), Tate Matheny and Aaron Meyer each registered three hits, part of an eight-hit attack by the Bears. Harris took the tough luck loss, working eight innings, striking out eight and walking one.
 
These two clubs complete their weekend series, Sunday, as the Patriots look to earn the sweep. Game three is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.