Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Dordt Defender baseball team swept a GPAC doubleheader against Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday, April 11, in Mitchell, South Dakota, taking the opener 7-6 before Lincoln Vander Molen tossed a complete-game shutout in a 3-0 nightcap victory. DDordt is 7-13 in league play and 17-23 overall with eight games remaining on the schedule.

Game 1: Dordt 7, Dakota Wesleyan 6
Box Score (PDF)

Dordt utilized a fast start and a late solo blast to secure a narrow 7-6 win in the opening game of the twinbill. The Defenders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning using a bases-loaded walk by Stephen Dillender, a hit-by-pitch from Jarett Herz, and a fielder's choice off the bat of Joey Schlesselman. After the Tigers clawed back to within one, Dillender added to the lead in the third, eventually scoring on a Jarett Herz groundout.

The Defenders pushed the lead to 6-3 in the sixth inning behind an RBI double from Chisum Demmers and a sacrifice fly by Jimmy Twombley. After Dakota Wesleyan pulled within two, Dillender provided insurance with a solo home run to right-center in the seventh. The Tigers mounted a late rally in the bottom of the frame, scoring two runs, but Jacob Camp came on in relief to strike out the final batter and preserve the victory.

Dordt Team Stats

• Runs: 7
• Hits: 7
• Errors: 1
• Left on base: 7

Dakota Wesleyan Team Stats

• Runs: 6
• Hits: 11
• Errors: 0
•  Left on base: 10

Dordt Leaders

• Stephen Dillender: 1-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, HR, 2 BB
• Chisum Demmers: 2-for-3, RBI, 2B
• Ryan Vann: 3-for-4, run, SB
• Jarett Herz:  2 RBI
• Bennett Spronk (W, 5-2): 5.2 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO
• Jacob Camp (S, 1): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 SO

Game 2: Dordt 3, Dakota Wesleyan 0
Box Score (PDF)

Lincoln Vander Molen dominated on the mound, throwing a complete-game shutout to lead Dordt to a 3-0 win and the series sweep. Vander Molen allowed just five hits while striking out 12 Tigers in the nine-inning  game.

The Dordt offense provided early support, plating a run in the first when Logan Templeton grounded out to score Ryan Vann, who had led off the game with a walk. Jimmy Twombley provided the rest of the run support, driving in Vann with an RBI double in the third and repeating with an RBI triple in the sixth. The Defenders' defense backed Vander Molen's  performance, including a clean ninth inning to secure the shutout.

Dordt Team Stats

• Runs: 3
• Hits: 12
• Errors: 1
• Left on base: 13

Dakota Wesleyan Team Stats

• Runs: 0
• Hits: 5
• Errors: 2
• Left on base: 8

Dordt Individual Leaders

• Jimmy Twombley: 3-for-5, 2 RBI, 2B, 3B
• Ryan Vann: 1-for-2, 3 runs, 2 BB
• Jarett Herz: 3-for-4, BB
• Stephen Dillender: 1-for-5
• Lincoln Vander Molen (W, 3-6): 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 SO