Jimmie streak snapped by Lancers in GPAC tournament

CRETE, Neb.-- The Jimmie baseball team had a 2-1 lead after four-and-a-half innings Thursday afternoon against Mount Marty (S.D.) University, but the Lancers rallied for the winning run in the bottom of the eighth, winning 3-2 in the opening game of the GPAC postseason tournament.

Jamestown (27-18 overall) will face Briar Cliff (Iowa) in an elimination game on Friday at 12 p.m.

Mount Marty scored the game's first run as Zane Salley came home on a squeeze bunt by Will Gardner in the bottom of the second inning. The Jimmies answered in the next half inning on a two-out single by Xander Orejudos which allowed Chase Burke to score from second base.

In the top of the fourth, Jordan Singleton led off with a single to right and moved to third on Hayden Brown's double. One out later, Julian Sansores hit a sacrifice fly to center field as Singleton crossed the plate to make it 2-1 Jimmies.

With one out and runners on first and third in the bottom of the fifth, Mount Marty's Braeden Cordes singled through the left side to score Gardner for the tying run.

Cordes led off the bottom of the eighth with a single against Luke Zimmer (8-2) and UJ made a pitching change. Brown came on in relief of Zimmer and struck out Ethan Wishon for the first out of the inning. Billy Hancock drew a walk off of Brown and Bodi Wallar followed with a double down the left field line to bring in Cordes with the go-ahead run. The Lancers had an insurance run cut down at the plate for out number two, then had runners at second and third again following a wild pitch. Brown struck out Kiko Nunez for the final out and no further damage.

Burke doubled to begin the UJ ninth but was unable to advance as the final three Jimmie hitters went down in order.

Singleton and Brown both had three hits and Orejudos added a pair. Zimmer pitched seven innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits, walking one and striking out six. Chris Rofe started for Mount Marty and gave up two runs on eight hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision. Zach Hegge (3-0) got the win after two scoreless innings, striking out two.