The Dordt Defender baseball team split a Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader with Hastings on Wednesday, April 22 in Sioux Center, dropping a high-scoring opener 21-12 before rebounding with a 13-3 win in game two. Dordt is now 20-26 overall and 10-16 in the GPAC.  Dordt will host Doane to conclude the regular season on Friday afternoon, Apil 24 at 1pm. 

Game 1: Hastings 21, Dordt 12
Game 1 Box Score (PDF)

Dordt came out with early momentum, plating three runs in the first inning with a combination of an error, a run-scoring double by Stephen Dillender, and a sacrifice fly by Jarett Herz for a 3-0 lead. Hastings answered with four runs in the second and eventually built a 7-6 lead after four innings. Dordt countered with long ball production in the third as Drew Oreskes hit a two-run homer and Dillender followed with a solo shot.

The Defenders kept pace through the middle innings. Jimmy Twombly tied the game at 7-7 with an RBI single in the fourth, and Dordt pulled even again at 9-9 in the fifth on a two-run single by Chisum Demmers. After Hastings surged ahead with a six-run sixth inning, Dordt responded with three runs, highlighted by a two-run double from Herz and a run scoring on a wild pitch to close within 15-12.

Hastings pulled away late with six runs in the seventh to secure the 21-12 final.

• Team Stats
  • Runs: Dordt 12, Hastings 21
  • Hits: Dordt 11, Hastings 20
  • Errors: Both teams 1
  • Left on Base: Dordt 6, Hastings 12
• Dordt Leaders
  • Stephen Dillender: 3-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI, HR
  • Drew Oreskes: 1-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI, HR
  • Jarett Herz: 1-3, 3 RBI, 2B
  • Chisum Demmers: 2-4, 2 RBI
  • Jimmy Twombly: 2-5, RBI

Game 2: Dordt 13, Hastings 3
Game 2 Box Score (PDF)    

Dordt seized control early in game two with a six-run first inning. Logan Templeton drove in the first run with a double, Jarett Herz added an RBI single, and Joey Schlesselman delivered the big blow with a bases-clearing single aided by an outfield error. Dordt also scored on a wild pitch in the frame to take a 6-0 lead.

After Hastings scored twice in the second, Dordt extended the lead in the fourth when Drew Oreskes doubled down the line to score three runs, pushing the advantage to 9-2. Dordt continued to add on with a run in the fifth on a fielder's choice and three more in the sixth, taking advantage of walks, a bases-loaded walk by Luke Arndorfer, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly by Ryan Vann.

On the mound, Lincoln Vander Molen earned his fourth pitching decision of the season, going 6.2 innings and allowing three runs while striking out eight.

• Team Stats
  • Runs: Dordt 13, Hastings 3
  • Hits: Dordt 10, Hastings 7
  • Errors: Dordt 0, Hastings 1
  • Left on Base: Dordt 7, Hastings 12
• Dordt Leaders
  • Joey Schlesselman: 3-3, 3 runs, RBI
  • Drew Oreskes: 1-2, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 runs
  • Jarett Herz: 1-3, 2 runs, RBI
  • Ryan Vann: RBI, run
  • Logan Templeton: RBI double
  • Lincoln Vander Molen: Win (4-7), 6.2 IP, 8 K