DECORAH, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Loras College Baseball program split with Luther College to continue Iowa Conference play on Friday afternoon. Luther (11-13, 6-6) came out firing offensively in the late stages of game one, scoring six runs in the final two innings of play. In game two, Loras (13-10, 7-5) took advantage of as many opportunities as they could in order to win by a final score of 7-0. Senior pitcher Will Petrosky pitched seven innings of shutout ball while striking out four batters.

Senior Adam Schwoebel took his first loss of the season during the first portion of the doubleheader. It was the first time Schwoebel had lost to the Norse throughout his career as a Duhawk. The Althoff Catholic product threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and seven runs, while striking out just two. Schwoebel had allowed just six runs in his previous four starts combined. Freshman Brad Schwind came on to record the final out of the game, but not before surrendering two hits and an earned run.

Offensively it was a two-man show for the Duhawks in game one. Senior Spence Bonner and sophomore Luke Leibforth recorded the only five hits of the game for Loras. Bonner earned Duhawk player of the game honors, hitting 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Leibforth was responsible for bring Bonner home each time, finishing 2-for-3 with one RBI.

Petrosky earned his first win of the season in game two, building off of an impressive performance against Dominican last week. The senior found himself in a multitude of jams with runners in scoring position throughout the first few innings, but battled through to come away spotless.



In relief, senior Kody Massner pitched two innings, allowing one hit to complete the shutout.

Loras took advantage of every possible offensive opportunity in game two, driving in eight runs on eight hits. This was showcased by the Duhawks ability to capitalize on runner advancement opportunities. Loras moved baserunners over efficiently with a .619 success percentage. It all started in the third inning, when an errant throw from Luther allowed sophomore Nolan Ritter to score from second. A Bonner single to left field, which scored senior Anthony Flattery, went on to finish the Duhawk threat. Each run in the third was scored with two outs on the board.

The Duhawks got right back to it in the fourth, starting the inning with sophomore Tony Heiser reaching on a hit-by-pitch and senior Adam Kennedy drawing a walk. An error by Luther's Jon Opdahl scored Heiser from second to push Loras' lead to 3-0.

Looking to put the game out of reach, the Duhawks put the pressure on in the fifth inning to seal their 13th win of the season.

A lead-off single to center field by sophomore Cole Reeg started the rally for Loras. After senior Anthony Flattery was hit by a pitch, junior Patrick Walsh drove in his first run of the day, scoring Reeg from second. A bases-loaded frozen rope to center from Kennedy scored Walsh and Flattery to push the lead to six. Leibforth drove in the final run of the night on a single to score Heiser.

Following a crazy Friday in the Iowa Conference, Loras' win moved them into sole possession of second place with a 7-5 record.

Game Changer – Game 1
A 2-0 fastball thrown by Adam Schwoebel was taken over the left field fence by Luther's Aldon Severson ... This extended Luther's lead from 3-2 to 5-2 in the fifth inning

Game Changer – Game 2
Loras reached base 12 times against Luther starter Blake Peterson in 4.1 innings ... Peterson gave up seven hits, three walks and two hit-by-pitches, allowing Loras to touch him up for seven earned runs early-on in the game

Key Stat – Game 1
In game one, Loras' batters hit a combined 5-24, equaling a .208 batting average

Key Stat – Game 2
Loras excelled playing small-ball advancing runners on .619 percent of their advancement opportunities

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Up Next
The Duhawks will stay in Decorah for the second half of their weekend series with Luther College. First pitch of game one will be at 1 p.m. with game two starting at approximately 3:30 p.m.