Panthers overpower Tritons in doubleheader sweep

OZARK, Mo. – Nikko Calabro and Aaron Mann hit home runs in both halves of Saturday’s doubleheader against Missouri-St. Louis, as the Drury Panthers swept the Tritons winning 7-4 in game one and 11-3 in game two.
 
Drury improved to 32-13 and 17-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, while UMSL fell to 13-27 and 12-11 in the league.
 
The Panthers recovered from a 4-0 deficit to win game one 7-4. Drury tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of third with two runs in the inning. Brant Schaffitzel scored on a passed ball, and Aaron Mann’s solo home run evened the score.
 
The Panthers took the lead an inning later as Jackson Dierenfeldt’s RBI single gave Drury the lead and an error on the same play put Drury ahead 6-4. Nikko Calabro then added another run with an RBI double.
 
After giving up four runs in the first two innings, Drury starter Cade Waits (6-2) recovered to pitch five shutout innings on his way to the win. Waits went seven innings allowing four hits and four earned runs with two walks and three strikeouts. Brady Krile (2-4) took the loss for UMSL.
 
Calabro went 3 for 3 with a home run, two doubles and two RBI’s.
 
In game two, Drury staked an early lead on solo home runs from Aaron Mann, Nikko Calabro, and Kaden Helsel. The Panthers blew open a 4-0 lead with four more runs in the fourth, highlighted by a two-RBI double by Helsel.
 
Panthers starter Cody Bahl improved to 7-2 as he picked up the win going five innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs with three walks and five strikeouts.
 
Helsel ended the game going 3 for 3 three runs and five RBI’s. Mann and Jackson Dierenfeldt both went 3 for 4.
 
Mann and Calabro homered in both halves of the doubleheader and both went a combined 5 for 7 at the plate on Saturday.
 
The two teams conclude the four-game series on Sunday. Drury will honor their graduating players before the game as part of Senior Day. Those ceremonies begin at 11:30 am with the scheduled first pitch at noon at US Baseball Park.
 
 
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