Roling hero in road slugfest
Jon Denham, Sports Information Director
April 4, 2008

BOXSCORE

His senior season wasn't off to the ideal start. He's still hitting .120 on the year. He is a co-captain of the team in 2008. And through the difficult-to-watch 2-for-24 start at the plate to start the season Nate Roling's manager stuck with him. On Friday, Carl Tebon told him to grab a bat in the ninth inning of a tie game against conference rival Wartburg College to pinch hit with a runner on base. Pinch-runner Austin Brown stole second after a Don Pirkle single to get in scoring position for Roling in the 13-13 game.

Fortunately for Loras, Roling had been here before. In a doubleheader against Dubuque in 2006, the then-sophomore from Dubuque twice pinch hit in the bottom of the seventh of a doubleheader, and twice he delivered game-winning, walk-off singles.

Fast forward to Friday night in Waverly, and in an error-plagued game (the teams combined for nine) Nate delivered again. His RBI single to left gave the Duhawks a 14-13 lead that held up after a double play ended any hopes of a Wartburg win in the bottom of the ninth.

Only 15 of the 27 combined runs were earned, and five pitchers combined for 12 walks on the night. Brock Schneden homered for Loras, a grand slam, in the top of the first to help the visitors to a 6-0 lead after half an inning. The lead was 8-1 before things went south for Loras starter Kyler Laurie in the third. The Knights scored six times on four hits and two Loras errors in the inning, and Laurie was lifted for Bryan Geertgens to start the fourth inning, who finished the game for Loras and earned the win.

Schneden finished the day 2-for-5 with five RBI. Designated hitter Clark Egdorf (who Roling pinch-hit for) was already 2-3 with three RBI on the night. Senior pitcher Mike McGivern took the loss for the Knights.

The teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow in Waverly beginning at 1:00 PM. Wartburg had been off to a 3-0 start in IIAC play before Friday's game after sweeping conference favorite Luther last weekend. Loras is now 3-3 in IIAC play.

Both games can be heard on the Duhawks Broadcast Network.