SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. - Riding a three-game winning streak and looking to end their annual spring trip to Arizona on a winning note, the Madison College baseball team took seven-inning losses of 12-5 and 8-1 to Gateway Community College (AZ) on the final day in the desert. The #2 WolfPack posted a 4-8 record over ten days of games and will return home over the weekend.

Game #1: Gateway Community College 12, Madison College 5

The opener against the Geckos began with great promise, as Nick Kanavas ripped a leadoff, opposite-field double, which was followed by a perfectly placed bunt from Ryan Makuski to put runners at the corners. However, a ground ball to shortstop and a runner interference call registered as a double play, preventing Kanavas from scoring and stranding him 90 feet from home.

Then came the bottom of the second and a half inning in which the WolfPack first, couldn't get an out, and then second, couldn't get off the field. Gateway put an eight-spot on the board thanks to six hits, three errors, and some poor defensive decisions. The final blow came on a two-run homer off starter Jake Kopp to make it 8-0.

The Geckos made it 10-0 in the third with back-to-back doubles and a sacrifice fly, giving the home team visions of a run-rule victory. Madison College had other plans, cutting the deficit in half with a five-run fourth inning. A walk and singles from Ty Jandrowski and Kian O'Brien scored Bryce Plate, and then Jandrowski crossed home on a second error committed by Gateway. That brought sophomore catcher Trevor Tunison to the plate with two on and just one away, and Tunison delivered with his first career home run to make it 10-5.

That is as close as the 'Pack would get as GCC added two more runs in the fifth against reliever Dominick Golubiewski. 

Jake Kopp (0-2) allowed ten runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits in his 2 1/3 innings of work. The West Bend, Wisconsin, native issued five walks and failed to record a strikeout. Golubiewski posted his longest outing of the season, lasting 3 2/3 innings and surrendering two earned runs on three hits with four K's.

Offensively, Brookfield East product and center fielder Nick Kanavas went 3-for-4, while third baseman Nick Schmidt registered a pair of hits. Five different players scored, including Trevor Tunison, who also paced the WolfPack with three RBI.

Game #2: Gateway Community College 8, Madison College 1

In the finale of Friday's doubleheader and of a ten-day, 12-game trip, Madison College fell behind early and could not keep up with Gateway (21-9). The Geckos again scored first, plating a run in each of the first two innings off starter Sam Lund.

The WolfPack drew within 2-1 in the third after two singles and a walk loaded the bases. Freshman Chris Lund, who entered the game with a team-leading nine runs batted in, added one more with a sacrifice fly to score Zach Bailey.

Unfortunately, that was all the offense Madison College could muster. Gateway answered right back in their half of the third with four runs against Lund and reliever Theo Denlinger, who entered with one out and two runners aboard. The former Cuba City Cuban pitched into the fifth, where he was on the hook for two more runs before giving way to fellow righty Jared Horton.

On the bump, Sam Lund (0-2) allowed five earned runs and five hits, while Denlinger gave up two runs on three hits. Horton allowed just one hit in his inning-plus. The trio combined for six walks and four strikeouts.

Simon Maurice led the offensive charge with a 2-for-3 effort as the WolfPack collected seven total hits.

Before leaving the Arizona sun, Madison College will practice Saturday morning before departing for Wisconsin later in the evening. The WolfPack will return to the diamond on Thursday, March 24 for a doubleheader at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois. The Kougars are currently 9-4. First pitch of game one is set for 2:00 p.m. The home opener at Robin Roberts Field is slated for Sunday, April 3 against in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College.

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