Wesleyan wins dramatic game in extra innings

After Wesleyan tied the game at 9-9 on J.J. Russell's three-run homer, Drew Fithian singled to drive in Brent Pugh with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth.

Wesleyan (26-9) sent a message with two runs in the bottom of the first after Landmark punched in four runs in its first at bat.

"The biggest part of the game were those two runs," Shaheen said. "We knew we weren't going to get them all back right off the bat, but we showed [Landmark] that we weren't dead. We were ready to go. I would have been more worried if [Landmark] had hit the ball all over the place, but they got some hits off the end of the bat and a couple off the fist. We told [pitcher Drew Fithian] to throw inside, and that's what he did. He settled down and pitched well."

The game turned into a hitting showcase between Landmark catcher Blake Austin and Wesleyan's J.J. Russell. Austin, who had an RBI double in the first inning, was 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs. His grand slam in the top of the sixth put Landmark (24-9-1) ahead 9-6.

But Russell matched the dramatics in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Russell launched a three-run blast over the left-field fence that tied the game. He ended the day going 3-for-4 with a walk and five RBIs.

"We're going to have to come out again [today] and hit like we did in this game," Russell said. "They're a great hitting team."

Fithian, who had three hits and two RBIs for Wesleyan, was the starting pitcher and left the game after the sixth inning with the score tied 9-9. After giving up the four runs in the first, Fithian did not allow another hit until Austin's solo home run in the fifth inning. Devin Stanton pitched two hitless innings and struck out five to earn the win for Wesleyan.

Landmark starter Tanner Bryant went the distance and allowed 13 hits and eight earned runs.