Austin Calhoon of Winner who plays baseball for Dakota Wesleyan University came up with the game winning RB I single as DWU won 7-6 over Midland University to win the Great Plains Conference Athletic Conference.
Calhoon’s biggest moment came in the seventh inning. After junior Cole Wenande led off the bottom of the inning with a single and advanced to third on a bunt and Midland error, Calhoon poked the game winning hit.
“We’ve been preaching on good at bats and one inning at a time,” Calhoon told the Mitchell Daily Republic. “I was just looking for my pitch and whenever I find it, I’m looking to swing.”
The junior outfieldier hit a bloop single in left field that put DWU up 7-6 and it later proved to be the difference in deciding the GPAC championship.
“He’s been a spark all year long,” said DWU coach John Greicar. “He’s really settled into his approach and knows what he has to do. It’s been his role to provide leadership, whether it’s a walk or a huge hit. He’s capable of a lot of things and we count on him to have strong at-bats.”
Calhoon finished the game 2-2 with two runs and an RBI enroute to helping the Tigers claim their fourth GPAC title since 2009.
Calhoon was named to the GPAC all-conference honorable mention list.
“It feels great after we came up short last year,” said Calhoon. “It feels amazing to come back and get the job done.”
Calhoon, the son of John and Jodi Calhoon, has played in 29 games and has a batting average of .392.
DWU played Missouri Baptist in the first round of the NAIA baseball tournament on Tuesday, May, 12, in Oklahoma City, Okla.
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