SALINA. Kan. - Panhandle State baseball heads to Kansas to take on the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes. The Aggies are looking to reverse their fortunes as of late and battle the elements in this four-game series. 
The Aggies take a two and four lifetime record against the Coyotes. In the 2021 season, the Coyotes would win the series three games to one. The lone win came from a superb start from Zeke Dougan. 

Game one of the day produced a pitcher's duel between the Aggies and the Coyotes. Both teams would only combine for single-digit hits in the game. Both pitchers would tally seven strikeouts in the game. However, the Aggies would take advantage of walks and errors from the Coyotes to maintain their lead throughout the whole game.

Panhandle State would take two steps back after taking a step forward in game one of the day. Game two saw the Aggie's strikeout ten times and tally only five hits. The Coyotes rallied for seven runs in the bottom of the second inning with the help of multiple Aggie errors. Aggie pitching would settle in the game and prevent the Coyotes from the base paths but the Aggie hitters could not create any momentum as they would lose 3-9.

Game 1

The Aggies come into Salina having struggled at the plate the last couple of weeks. Looking to reduce their number of strikeouts and force the Coyotes to make plays to get them out was the focus for the Aggie hitters during the week. Something that the Aggies took to heart as they would capitalize on two errors in the top of the sixth inning to extend their lead. 

Senior Austin Jacobs (2-1) made his fourth appearance for the Aggies on the season. Jacobs pitching off his off-speed was a large portion of the reason the Aggies were dominant in game one. Throwing a complete game allowing one run on five hits. Notching seven strikeouts in his second win of the season. 

Outfielders Ethan Hunt and Hunter Hutchinson would provide significant sparks for the Aggies at key parts of the game. Hunt would send a solo shot over the fence in the top half of the first inning with two outs to give the Aggies a one-to-nothing lead. Looking to make noise after the bats had gone quiet for a while Hutchinson would launch a double in the top of the sixth. Kicking off a three-run inning for the Aggies. 

Sam Bond and Luis Dermas would also play their role in the Aggies' win. Bond would lay down a sacrifice bunt in the top of the seventh to make way for a Hutchinson double and Dermas single. As the Aggies scratch, a couple of insurance runs in the inning and take the win 6 to 1.

Game 2

After a confidence-boosting game one win, the Aggies looked to take that momentum into the second game of the day. Getting started right away as Hunter Hutchinson would lead off the game with a single. Ethan Hunt would shoot a single into center field to bring Hutchinson around for the first run of the game. Lane Field would launch his first home-run of the year to give the Aggies a 3-0 lead in the first. 

Juan Javier (0-2) made his third appearance of the year. Hoping to improve upon his last appearance against the Tabor Bluejays. Javier's struggles continued as he only survived one and two-thirds innings pitched against the Coyotes. Giving up two home runs and four hits before exchanging the ball with Zeke Dougan.

Dougan has been efficient against the Coyotes in his time as an Aggie. Notching the lone Aggie win against the Coyotes last year. Throwing six innings with nine strikeouts. Dougan continued that efficiency in game two of the day. Finishing the day with four and a third innings pitched. Allowing only a single run with eight strikeouts. 

After a confident game one at the plate the Aggie hitters looked set to continue the production in game two. Without the three hits in the top of the first inning, the Aggies only managed another two hits. With the struggles with putting the ball into play and leaving runners on base, the Aggie offense was unable to mount a comeback in game two as they split the day. 

Panhandle State baseball returns to action tomorrow, February 27th for another doubleheader starting at noon.