AUBURNDALE, Fla. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras baseball team opened up their annual trip to the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational with a sweep of Utica on Thursday by scores of 12-2 and 14-1, thanks largely in part to big innings from the Purple & Gold. Junior
Brad Schwind tossed five scoreless innings, allowing zero runs on three hits and finishing with eight strikeouts. Junior
Robert Hovey threw five innings in the second game, allowing one run while striking out eight.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Game One
- Loras wasted no time getting on the board as junior Michael Muto drove in junior Ryan Koester to open the scoring.
- The Duhawks capitalized on three errors and an earned walk in the top half of the third to put seven runs on the board and open a 9-0 lead.
- Loras continued to burn Utica for mistakes in the top of the sixth as sophomore Danny Paluch tripled to drive in three before coming around to score on an RBI single by Muto.
- Sophomore Richard Bryza came in relief for Schwind and pitched the last two innings, conceding one earned run.
- Bryza got the last batter to fly out to right field to end the seventh and give Loras the 12-2 win by slaughter rule.
Game Two
- Hovey pitched himself out of an early jam in the top half of the first after allowing a single and a walk, stranding two Utica baserunners.
- The Duhawks broke open the scoring in the bottom of the third inning as Koester doubled to left field, scoring sophomore Austin Konagel who reached base via walk to lead off the inning.
- Back-to-back hits from Koester and junior Danny Weis set the table for Muto once again, who drove in Koester on an RBI single for the 2-0 lead.
- Sophomore Jake Oglesby cleared the bases with a triple to right field, scoring both Weis and Muto as the Duhawks opened a four-run advantage.
- The Pioneers got a run back in the top half of the fourth on a passed ball, bringing Utica to within four at 5-1.
- After going three innings without scoring, the Duhawks batted around the order in the bottom of the sixth, plating nine runs, which was highlighted by sophomore Danny Paluch who picked up three RBIs.
- Senior Kyle Jagminas came in the top half of the seventh to secure the Duhawks second slaughter rule victory of the afternoon.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Brad Schwind I The ace lived up to his potential in game one by surrendering three hits while striking out eight batters. The Hoffman Estates, Ill. native did not allow a Pioneer runner to reach third base.
Michael Muto | The Wheaton, Ill. native picked up where he left off in Jacksonville by going 3-for-4 in Game 2, collecting three RBIs and one triple. Muto now has 11 RBIs on the 2017 season.
NOTABLES
- Loras sits above the .500 mark for the first time in 2017 with the sweep of Utica.
- Hovey tied his season high of eight strikeouts, which was set during his last outing against Chicago on March 4.
- Weis picked up his sixth multi-hit game of the season during Game 2, going 3-for 4 after being held to just one hit in Game 1.
- Muto set a season high in RBIs in Game 2, driving in three runs. His previous high was two set against Chicago.
UP NEXT
The Duhawks return to the diamond on Friday, March 17 in Winter Haven, Fla. as they are set to square off against Lawrence. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Baseball fans can follow along on Twitter (@LorasBaseball) for in-game updates.
