LAKE WALES, Fla. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn baseball team shifted its Florida trip to Warner University for the Warner Invitational, playing two games Thursday in Lake Wales, Fla.
The Wolverines dropped the opener to Spring Arbor University 8-7 and fell to the host Warner 7-1 to drop to 7-12 overall this season.
After falling behind 3-0 against the Cougars, UM-Dearborn got on the board with an RBI from David Gault-Villareal in the third, while a three-run home run from Evan Morin in the fourth gave UM-Dearborn a 4-3 lead. Shaun Hannibal added a two-run home run in the fifth, followed by an RBI triple from Max Tomaszweski.
The Wolverines led 7-5 in the fifth, but SAU scored three unanswered and walked off on a wild pitch in the seventh. Patrick Downing, Hannibal and Morin each finished with two hits, while Thad Plaza took the loss in relief on the mound.
Against Warner, UM-Dearborn took an early lead on a solo home run in the first from Ryan Beadle, while Wolverine starter Tyler Koons looked strong early. The Royals found their offense starting in the fifth and scored seven unanswered to close the game.
Koons (3-1) allowed two runs on three hits, while striking out seven in five innings.
The Wolverines continue play at Warner against a pair of top-10 teams on Friday. UM-Dearborn faces No. 2 St. Thomas University at 9:30 am, followed by a matchup with No. 7 Bellevue University at 12:30 pm.
