SURPRISE, ARIZ. - An intense game between a pair of nationally ranked programs finished in dramatic fashion Wednesday as Madison College downed Seminole State College (OK) by a 2-1 final at the spring training complex shared by MLB teams, the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers.

The #2 WolfPack trailed the #12 Trojans (NJCAA Division I) for a majority of the game after SSC scored their lone run in the bottom of the first inning. Starter Derek Heffel (1-1) struggled to field a cue shot off the end of the lead off hitter's bat, putting a runner aboard. The runner then stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on a groundout to short.

Heffel then limited Seminole State (18-5) to four hits over the next 6 2/3 innings - never permitting a runner past second base - to allow the WolfPack offense to make a run. That moment happened in the sixth. Nick Kanavas continued his hard-hitting ways with a lead off single, and first year Bryce Plate smashed a controversial double down the left field line. It originally looked like a RBI triple, however, the umpires ruled the ball spun outside the field of play when the picked up by the left fielder, thus being ruled a ground-rule double.

That didn't faze the 'Pack, who found a way to score both runs on the next at bat. Redshirt freshman Carson Carmody, a Cuba City, Wisconsin, native, put down a bunt that was fielded by the pitcher and thrown home to try and cut down Kanavas from third. The SSC catcher failed to make the catch, allowing both Kanavas and Plate to come in and score for a 2-1 lead.

The Madison College (2-6) defense then stepped up to complete the win. In the seventh, Heffel, first baseman Ty Jandrowski, and shortstop Simon Maurice combined to pick off and run down a runner between first and second. In the eighth, it was second year right fielder Ryan Makuski gunning down the tying run at the plate after a single to right off reliever Jared Horton.

In the ninth, Horton allowed a lead off single to the opposing right fielder, who eventually found his way to third base with one out. After Horton struck out a batter and then hit another to put runners at the corners, coach Mike Davenport turned to Ty Jandrowski to complete the save (1), which happened in the most unusual, yet dramatic way. The Trojans called for a steal of home on Jandrowski first pitch, which catcher Tanner Van De Hey popped out of his crouch to catch and apply the tag for the game's final out.
 

Heffel struck out six in the third longest outing of his career. Horton finished with one hit and one K in an inning of work, while Jandrowski's WolfPack pitching debut featured one pitch and resulted in his first career save.

At the plate, Madison College held a 9-6 advantage in hits despite striking out 13 times. Ryan Makuski was 3-for-5 from the lead off spot in the lineup. Drew Steinmetz and Bryce Plate each collected two hits, while Carson Carmody had the two RBI.

An early morning doubleheader awaits the WolfPack on Thursday as the team travels southeast to Case Grande, Arizona, for a pair of seven-inning games against Williston State College (ND). The Tetons are 6-9 through 15 games this seaosn. Game one gets underway at 12:00 p.m. Central Time.

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