GLENDALE, ARIZ. - The magic of a six-game season-opening win streak ran out Tuesday as the Madison College baseball team was swept in a doubleheader between two teams ranked nationally. Glendale Community College, ranked #19 in the latest NJCAA Division II Poll, slipped past the #2-ranked WolfPack 2-1 in the opener, and then held off the Pack for a 6-2 decision in the nightcap. The Gauchos are now 10-3 all-time against Madison College.

Game #1: #19 Glendale Community College 2, #2 Madison College 1

A defense-heavy start to the day turned more offensive in the fourth inning when Madison College loaded the bases on three singles, however, the Gauchos kept the WolfPack off the scoreboard with an inning-ending double play. Glendale Community College used that momentum, and a Pack error, to score the game's first run in the home half of the inning. 

The WolfPack evened the score in the top of the sixth. Will Johannes and Grant Ross each drew a walk, and freshman Tyler Kirchberg came through with a clutch two-out single up the middle to drive in Johannes. The 1-1 tie did not last long, as the Guachos produced the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth with a walk and two single that all happened with two outs on the scoreboard.

Freshman Jake Petasek opened the seventh with a single, but was never able to advance any farther than first base before the game ended on a double play.

Sophomore righthander Chris Byhre (0-1) struck out five over six innings and limited GCC to one earned run on three hits and a pair of walks.

The WolfPack got base hits from Johannes, Kirchberg, Petasek, Carson Shepard, and Nick Nowak. Kirchberg registered the lone RBI, and Johannes scored the lone run.

Game #2: #19 Glendale Community College 6, #2 Madison College 2

Much like the opener, game two of the twin bill was decided in the sixth inning. Madison College struck first in the fourth frame with a solo home run from sophomore Nick Nowak, marking the team's first home run of the season and the first career homer for Nowak. A leadoff long ball in the bottom of the fifth for the Gauchos tied the game at 1-1. 

Glendale Community College then loaded the bases with one out in the home half of the sixth, and took full advantage with five runs on five hits and two free passes.

Freshman Charlie Marion tried to ignite a late rally in the seventh, smashing his first career collegiate home run with a leadoff roundtripper. Unfortunately, the WolfPack was unable to engineer any more runs.

Marion, a native of Franklin, Wisconsin, and Nowak, a former Waukesha South HS athlete, both finished with a hit, a run scored, and a run batted in. Sophomore Carter Stebane was tops with two hits for his first multi-hit game of the season. 

On the mound, second year arm Alex Hayes went five innings and fanned seven, giving him 16 K's over 11 innings of work this season. The Muskego, Wisconsin, native gave up one earned run on eight hits and two walks. Freshman Nick West (1-1) took over for the sixth and tagged for five runs on five hits and a walk as he suffered his first career loss.

Up Next:

Madison College (6-2) will play a 1x9 on Wednesday against GateWay Community College (12-13) at Gene Autry Park in Mesa, Arizona. The Geckos are 9-4 all-time against the WolfPack. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. CT/3:00 p.m. PT. Follow and watch the games via the GameChanger app.

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