Tanner Hoops | Contributing Writer
The Buena Vista baseball team split a four game series at Loras this week.
Loras got on the board first in Game 1 via an RBI single in the 5th inning. A sacrifice fly off the bat of Bennett Mann tied things up in the top of the 6th and the scores remained tied at one until the 9th when Thomas Wisecup singled home Neil Marshall to put the Beavers up 2-1.
Starting pitcher Jake Bjorkgren pitched six innings, allowing one run on eight hits. Lucas Hadaway picked up the win in relief, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing one hit.
The Beavers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in Game 2 with an RBI single off the bat of Eric Gurbacki. The Duhawks took the lead in the bottom half of the innings with a two-run single. The two teams traded runs before Kolby Hilgenberg tied the game up at 3 runs apiece with an RBI single in the fifth. The score remained knotted until the bottom of the 7th when a walk lead to a walk off single to give Loras a 4-3 victory. Ian Grigsby suffered the loss, throwing 2 2/3 innings of relief, allowing two runs on four hits.
In Game 3, Loras took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning via a bases loaded walk. With their backs to the wall, Marshall came through with a solo homerun in the top of the 7th to tie the game at one and send it to extra innings. Loras was able to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the 8th which set up the walk off sacrifice fly to give the Duhawks a 2-1 victory in Game 3. Starting pitcher Wes Onken scattered four hits over 6 2/3 innings. Kendall Hazel was saddled with the loss allowing one run on a hit.
The Beavers got off to a 1-0 lead in the first inning of Game 4 on a sacrifice fly from Hilgenberg. Later in the 3rd, Hilgenberg and Gurbacki each ripped RBI doubles to put the Beavers up 3-0. Loras got one back in the home half of the 3rd before Bryce Wessels hit a solo shot to put BVU up 4-1. The Beavers added two more runs courtesy of a errant throw and a triple off the bat of Tanner Truesdell to account for the 6-1 final score. Jacob Hadaway was the winning pitcher, tossing six innings, allowing one run on four hits.
“With our position in the conference standings, it was important to get a split on the road at Loras. Our pitching staff threw the ball very well and they have been very consistent over the last three series. We didn’t get much going offensively, but Loras made a lot of great defensive plays to stall some rallies,” said Beaver Head Coach Steve Eddie.
The win secured a spot in the Iowa Conference postseason tournament in Cedar Rapids on May 7.
“It’s awesome being a freshman and being able to go down there next week,” outfielder Joe Monosmith said.
Eddie likes how competitive his team has been largely with the postseason just around the corner.
“Playing in tight games has become normal for us, so it won’t phase us as we close out our season. We are a little frustrated offensively, but have a great opportunity to build some momentum going into the Conference Tournament,” Eddie said.
The Beavers move to 22-13 on the season, 12-12 IIAC, and will host Luther for a four game series this Friday and Saturday.
