Duhawks Sweep Saturday to Win Series

Loras Improves to 10-5

March 21, 2009

Jacob Hanselman, SID Assistant

Game 1

                The Duhawks scored the first run of the day after Tyler Shireman singled home John Schroeder in the bottom of the second inning. Schroeder led off the inning with a double and was moved over to third by an Austin Brown single.  

                Wartburg was quick to respond. The Knights drew a walk to start the 3^rd inning, and then followed that up with a single that advanced the lead runner to third that would later score on a Mike Johnson ground out to second. The bases were loaded for the Knights later in the inning with two outs. The Duhawks were unable to get to get an out as Kyle Jones reached on a fielder’s choice. Loras was able to get out of the inning on a fielder’s choice, shortstop to second, stranding three Knights on the base paths.

                The Loras bats immediately got back to work in the bottom of 3^rd. Ben Kuebel and Nick Olberding both singled to start the inning. Clark Egdorf bunted to third and was safe at first on a throwing error. The error allowed both Kuebel and Olberding to score and also let Egdorf move up to 2^nd. Egdorf was driven home later in the inning on a BJ Juergens single up the middle to put the Duhawks up 4-2.

                Loras would add three more runs in the bottom of the 4^th. After two quick outs, Adam Gross reached on a walk and Kuebel had a bunt single. The Knight once again shot themselves in the foot with an error. Olberding reached on a throwing error by the shortstop that could have ended the inning, and allowed Gross to score from second. Egdorf would add more punishment for the error as he doubled to right center allowing two more runs to score. Loras went up 7-2 and would hold that lead the rest of the way.

                After a shaky 3^rd inning, Kevin Moriarity settled in and only allowed one Knight to reach second base the rest of the game. Moriarity scattered six hits and three walks over seven innings while striking out four Knights to pick up his second win of the season. The 2-3-4 hitters (Kuebel, Olberding, and Egdorf) in the Duhawk lineup all had 2 hits. Kuebel and Olberding also scored twice and Egdorf had two RBI’s.  

Game 2

                In the bottom of the 2^nd inning, Loras was able to break through with the first run of game after Egdorf singled, advanced to second on an error by the right fielder, and was moved over to third on a Schroeder bunt. BJ Juergens was able to bring in the run with a well placed ground ball to the second baseman.

                Wartburg put the pressure on in the top of the fifth.  Lewis and Stevens both reached base to start the inning and advanced to second and third respectively on a Safranski wild pitch. Lewis scored on a ground out to shortstop and Steven touched home on a RBI single by Roemmich. With two outs, Johnson singled to right field. Loras tried to throw out Roemmich at third base, but the throw was errant and got past the Duhawk covering the base. Roemmich tried to score after the ball got past, but Loras pitcher Austin Safranski was in position, backing up the throw, and threw home to Schroeder who applied the tag to get the final out of the inning.

                Loras quickly tied up the game at 2-2 on an Alex Miklo homerun to lead off the bottom of the 5^th. Miklo would come up big again in the bottom of the 7^th. With one out Miklo singled to right field and stole second base after an Adam Gross strikeout. Ben Kuebel came to the plate and singled through the left side to bring Miklo into score from second and give the Duhawks the series.

                Freshman pitcher Austin Safranski continued the successful start of his college career by picking up his second win. Safranski went the complete seven innings giving up seven hits and walking none.

                The wins put the Duhawks at 10-5 on season and 2-1 in the Iowa Conference. The Duhawks will play Wisconsin-Platteville in a non-conference game Wednesday at 4:00pm at Petrakis Park.