Tigers open season with two wins at Metrodome

Talk about it

MINNEAPOLIS — Two dominant pitching performances helped the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of Dickinson State University Friday at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

The Tigers won the first game 4-1 and took the second game 3-1.

Ethan Opsahl went six innings in Game 1 to pick up the win. He didn’t allow an earned run, while striking out eight and walking none.

“The eight strikeouts were impressive,” Tigers head coach Steve Gust said. “But the zero walks were even more impressive.”

Kirk McBreen had two RBIs in the opener, and Zac Custer made his collegiate debut as he got the save for Dakota Wesleyan.

Game 2 was highlighted by pitching and defense, as DWU’s Joey Fitzgerald pitched the entire game.

Fitzgerald struggled in the first inning, giving up two hits and a run on 24 pitches. But he finished the game with 87 pitches in seven innings.

Dickinson State recorded only one hit after the first inning.

“It was awesome,” Gust said. “He was able to establish his fastball, and then he went to his off speed and kept the hitters off balance.”

Fitzgerald was helped by two solid defensive plays in left field by Maximum Shower.

“Those are momentum-changers,” Gust said. “They weren’t just good plays, they were great plays. He allowed Joey to pitch such a good game.”

The Tigers took advantage of poor defense by Dickinson State and scored two unearned runs. Erik Nockleby had the only RBI for Dakota Wesleyan in game two.

“Defense was the difference in the game. It’s as simple as that,” Gust said.

The Tigers take on Dickinson State in another doubleheader today at the Metrodome. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.

Tags: dakota wesleyan, sports, updates, tigers, baseball, dwu