Box Score
In dramatic fashion, the Grinnell Pioneers defeated the Bears from Washington University – St. Louis 11-10 thanks in large part to Andrew Shults' '19 walk-off infield single. 
 
On a day in which the winds were in excess of 40 MPH creating a wind chill in the low 30's, both offenses used the extra gusts to their advantage.  The teams combined for the 21 runs on 32 hits, eight of which went for extra bases.  It was runners left of base that proved to be the difference maker.  WashU (15-10) stranded 18 runners while the Pioneers (11-3) only stranded four. 
 
On this day, coming through in the clutch was the standard operating procedure for the home team.  Graham Fisher '16 hit two 3-run home runs and Matt Hammond '17 added a three run dinger of his own.  Those three big swings all preempted Shults' clutch game-ender that barely traveled 70 feet. 
 
Shults had entered the game as a defensive replacement with two outs in the top of the ninth inning and as he strolled to the plate with the game-winning run 90 feet away tried to compose himself, "I really just tried to stay calm and not do too much.  Just put the ball in play."
 
As the speedy outfielder made contact, his thoughts turned to getting to first base as quickly as possible.  "Initially I thought the pitcher would field it so I just put my head down and ran.  I slid because I thought it would be much closer of a play.  After the umpire called me safe, it was a great feeling and such a great team win."
 
Matt Godinsky '16, who Shults replaced in right field, earned the win while collecting one out.  Sam Tinkham '16 started for the Pioneers and went five innings giving up four earned runs on six strikeouts.  Brad Margolin started for the guests and went six innings while allowing seven earned runs.  Julian Clarke suffered the loss. 
 
These two teams are back at it on Sunday in a double header starting at 11am CST.  Live broadcast available here: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/midwest/