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AUBURNDALE, Fla. – Lewis baseball closed their annual spring break trip in fine fashion with a 7-5 comeback win over Wayne State (Nebraska) on Saturday (March 7) morning.

"Today was a good end to the trip and I was proud the way we battled for the whole nine innings," Lewis head coach Tim McDonough said. "Getaway days are tough after a long week and we beat a good Wayne State team today."

Senior Mike Barajas (Chicago, Ill./Nazareth)' solo home run in the first inning was the highlight of a three-run first for the Flyers. Wayne State rallied for two in the top of the second and three in the third to take the lead 5-3. Barajas then doubled and scored in the fifth to make the score 5-4.

It stayed 5-4 until the seventh. Senior Kane Lombardo (Forest Park, Ill./Nazareth) got on base to start the frame due to an error and then later scored on another error. The Flyers eventually loaded the bases with one out and freshman Ethan Bloom (Schaumburg, Ill./Hoffman Estates) at the plate. The newcomer knocked a 2-2 pitch to right field for a double. It scored a pair and put the Flyers up 7-5.
 
Lewis would hold on to that 7-5 lead after freshman Mike Enriquez (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) threw a scoreless eighth and sophomore Sam Couch (Bolingbrook, Ill./Joliet Catholic) tossed a perfect ninth for his first save of the year. Senior Eann Cox (Erie, Ill./Erie) threw a scoreless seventh in relief and earned the win. His record is now 2-0.

"Ethan's hit in the seventh was huge and our bullpen was outstanding," McDonough said. "Mike got us started and played a great game defensively. I thought Eric Luecht (Lake In The Hills, Ill./Huntley) threw the ball well today. We just need to clean up a few things and we should be fine heading into GLVC play."

Luecht allowed five runs (one earned) with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work for the no-decision. Eric Browning earned the loss for Wayne State. He is now 0-2.

Barajas finished with two hits, two walks and three runs scored. Bloom and junior Joe Sparacio (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) each knocked in two runs.  

Lewis improves to 4-4 with the win. Wayne State falls to 2-3. Lewis opens conference play on March 14-15 with a trip to Drury.