THE RUNDOWN
No. 24 DBU scored 10 runs in the fifth inning and 16 total runs for the second straight day to cruise to a 16-3 win in seven innings over Central Michigan. With the win, the Patriots swept the Chippewas to improve 7-0 on the season, matching last year's team for the best start in program history.
 
Freshman James Ellwanger was tremendous in his first win at DBU. In his start, Ellwanger pitched 5.0 innings, allowed just one hit, totaled eight strikeouts, and issued just two walks.
 
Central Michigan was able to limit the Patriots' offense until the third inning, where the reliable Michael Dattalo was able to break the tie by scoring on a wild pitch. In the following inning, Chayton Krauss homered for the second time this weekend, bringing home Grant Jay as well to take a 3-0 lead.
 
Today it would be the fifth inning when DBU's offense stepped on the gas and put the game out of reach. With the bases loaded and no outs, Jay was hit by a pitch to bring in the first run of the inning. Next up, Miguel Santos was walked on a full count, followed by Krauss being issued a free pass on a full count, equating to a 5-0 lead with the bases loaded.
 
Luke Heefner broke the streak of walks with a crushing double to left field, scoring both Santos and Jay.
 
Continuing to apply pressure, Dattalo connected on a two-RBI single to right field to give the Patriots a commanding 10-0 lead over the Chippewas.
 
In his first start as a Patriot, freshman Ben Tryon crushed a two-run homer over the right-center field wall and followed it up with his second two-run blast just one inning later.
 
To finally close out the fifth inning, Jay brought a run home on a groundout to first, giving DBU a stellar 10-run inning and allowing the run rule to be applied after the seventh inning concluded.
 
Closing out the scoring on Sunday was Alex Pendergast, who homered over the right-center wall to give the Patriots a 16-0 advantage.
 
First out of the bullpen this afternoon was fifth-year senior Conner Mackay. Mackay kept Central Michigan scoreless, pitching 1.0 innings, giving up two hits, and recording two strikeouts.
 
Closing the final inning for the Patriots was Myles Martinez and Cade Wiegert. After three runs crossed the plate for CMU, Wiegert closed out the game with a punchout, giving DBU the sweep and a 16-3 victory in just seven innings.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- All nine of the Patriots' starters reached base in Sunday's win.
- Ben Tryon hit two home runs in his first start for DBU.
- In the three-game sweep, the Patriots hit 8 home runs as a team.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
16 – DBU scored 16 runs in back-to-back games.
29 – Nathan Humphreys has reached base safely in a career-high 29 consecutive games.
10 – The Patriots' 10-run fifth inning was the most runs scored in an inning this season.

DBU HEAD BASEBALL COACH DAN HEEFNER & JAMES ELLWANGER'S POSTGAME COMMENTS


UP NEXT
DBU Baseball aims to reach 8-0 for the first time in school history as they welcome the Oklahoma State Cowboys to Horner Ballpark at 6:30 on Tuesday.
  Read Full Article