COOLIDGE, ARIZ. - The Madison College baseball team had a chance to win two games against one of the hottest teams in NJCAA Division I play, but Central Arizona College was able to grab late leads in a pair of seven-inning wins by scores of 3-2 and 11-7. The WolfPack were unable to capitalize on scoring chances late in Game 1, or hold on to a one-run lead in the sixth inning of Game 2 as their losing streak extends to three games.

Game #1: Central Arizona College 3, Madison College 2

Starting pitcher Clayton Uselman nearly willed the #2 WolfPack to a win in the opener against the Vaqueros. The right-hander from Johnson Creek, Wisconsin, was tagged for two runs, only one of which was earned, over the games first two innings. Uselman did not allow a hit the rest of the game, allowing the Madison College offense to crawl back into the game.

With one out in the top of the seventh and trailing 2-0, freshman Kian O'Brien and sophomore Tanner Van De Hey drew a walks sandwiched around a Ronnie Cross bunt single to load the bases. Central Arizona turned to their bullpen, so coach Mike Davenport turned to his bench and brought in pinch hitter Chris Lund. The freshman from Stoughton, Wisconsin, roped a double over the centerfielder's head on the first pitch he saw to plate two runs and tie the game.
 

Unfortunately, Madison College was unable to push across any additional runs in the half inning despite runners at second and third with one out. And in the bottom half, relief pitcher Theo Denlinger loaded the bases on two walks and an error, then allowed the game-winning run on a single through the left side of a drawn in infield for the walk off win.

Uselman struck out five over his five-plus innings of work. The WolfPack offense was held to just three hits, one each by Lund, Cross, and Ty Jandrowski, who doubled in the second inning.

Game #2: Central Arizona College 11, Madison College 7

The finale was slugfest that featured five ties and four lead changes before the host Central Arizona (26-3) tallied five runs in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. That surge came after Madison College (1-6) rallied to claim a one run advantage in the top half of the frame.

Trailing 6-5 and showing plenty of fight, the 'Pack were aided by a wild throwing CAC bullpen that issued two walks and tossed two passed balls to put runners at the corners with no outs. Sophomore Alex Mayer, a product of Sauk Prairie HS, dropped down a perfect bunt to bring pinch runner Ian Parentice in from third and tie the game. After a pitching change, Nick Kanavas put Madison College in line for a potential second win of the season with a RBI single to left, scoring Ryan Makuski.
 

WolfPack righty Damian Guenther (0-1) entered to try and save the game in the seventh, but was tagged for five runs on three hits. For the game, Madison College pitchers combined to allow nine earned runs on a dozen hits with six walks and two hit batters. Hank Schau got the start and pitched into the fourth, finishing with six runs allowed - three earned - on six hits in his longest outing of the young season. Jake Kopp and Dominick Golubiewski both entered in relief.

Corner outfielders Ryan Makuski and Chris Lund paced the offense, with each going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. Four separate players finished with a run driven in. That included Zach Bailey, who doubled to left in the second to put Madison College up 2-1. The WolfPack scored three runs on errors and passed balls, as the Vaqueros finished with four total errors in the game.

Madison College continues their run of top-of-the-line competition Wednesday with a neutral site matchup against Seminole State College (OK), who is ranked #12 in NJCAA Division I. The Trojans are 18-4 on the season. The game will be played in Surprise, Arizona at the spring training complex shared by the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers of MLB. First pitch is at 6:00 p.m. Central Time.

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