CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – Baseball was swept on day two of their weekend series with Coe College on Saturday, losing game one 7-0 and dropping game two 9-5. Loras was held hitless by Connor Alberhasky in the early afternoon portion of the doubleheader.
Junior
Alex Steines took to the bump in game one, looking to build off of an impressive start last weekend against Simpson.
Steines held Coe (10-6, 3-5) scoreless through the first three innings of play before surrendering runs in each of the subsequent three innings. The junior kept Loras (9-9, 4-4) in the game through five innings of play, surrendering just two runs in those frames.
Coe broke loose in the sixth inning however, when Grant Henning launched a two-run homer to give Coe a 5-0 advantage. Steines finished his day after 5.2 innings, giving up six earned runs and two walks, while striking out six batters.
The lone baserunner for the Duhawks was junior
Spence Bonner, who drew a walk in the fifth inning. Sophomore
Tony Heiser moved Bonner to second base in the following at-bat, but the Duhawks were unable to capitalize.
Freshman
Nick Spiess took the mound in game two, making his first career start for the Duhawks. Spiess had been one of the best relievers in the Iowa Conference heading into today's game sporting a sparkling 2.25 ERA, but left having earned his first career loss.
Spiess gave up a solo shot in the first inning, before settling down and retiring six straight batters over the course of the next two innings.
While Spiess was getting into a groove, the Duhawks were able to bring home the first baserunners of the day. Heiser came around to score on a wild pitch in the second inning before Bonner brought home a pair of runs on a two-RBI single to left field. Bonner was set up by a walk from junior Pat Walsh which loaded the bases.
Heading into the bottom of the fourth, Loras remained in control 3-1. Trying to match his longest outing of the year, Spiess began to wear down in the fourth.
With runners on second and third and one out, Grant Henning sent the 1-2 pitch over the right field wall for a three-run home run. Henning tried his best to single handedly defeat the Duhawks, knocking in six runs in two games.
Senior
Connor Schreck and Walsh were used in relief to try and limit the damage, but Coe took advantage for a total of five more runs in the next two innings.
Loras came back in the seventh inning to score two run to chip away at the Kohawk lead. A sacrifice fly by Walsh scored sophomore
Nolan Ritter. With Bonner at the plate, sophomore
Cole Reeg scored on a wild pitch to make it 9-5.
On a high-note, senior
Kody Massner came in to relieve Walsh, tossing two scoreless innings and striking out one. This was the best outing of the season for the Burlington product.
Game Changer - Game 1Loras was unable to register a hit in game one, and the Duhawks lone baserunner came via walk in the fifth inning
Game Changer – Game 2Grant Henning showcased his power, taking a 1-2 pitch over the right field fence for a three-run homer in the fourth inning … This three-run home run gave Coe their first lead of the game, 4-3
Key Stat – Game 1Coe's Connor Alberhasky threw 7.0 innings, while walking one and striking out five on his way to a no-hitter
Key Stat – Game 2Spence Bonner led the Duhawks offensively in game two, driving in two runs with a single to left field
Notables 