INDIANOLA, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - After a walk-off loss in game two of the series, the Loras baseball team left little doubt in the rubber match, pounding out 15 hits and striking for 13 runs to take the series from Simpson on Sunday. Junior
Robert Hovey earned his third win of the season in game two, throwing seven innings of shutout ball while striking out four.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Game One
- With runners on first and third and one out in the top of the first, Loras used a double steal that ended with senior Luke Leibforth scoring on a throwing error by the shortstop.Â
- The Storm took the lead in the bottom of the third, putting a four spot on the board as a result of four Duhawk errors combined with a balk for a 4-1 Simpson lead.
- Loras answered with six runs the next half inning highlighted by a triple to left center by junior Michael Muto that drove in a pair of runs. Three singles and a throwing error by Simpson opened a 7-4 lead for the Duhawks.Â
- In the seventh, senior Nolan Ritter hit into a fielder's choice in the seventh inning that paved the way for sophomore Danny Paluch to score.Â
- Loras tacked on another run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Jake Oglesby that scored sophomore Austin Konagel from third.Â
- Simpson loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom half of the eighth and used two singles coupled with a sacrifice fly to cut the Duhawk lead to 9-8.
- After a scoreless top half of the ninth by Loras, the Storm roared back with a two-out rally, highlighted by a triple to right center to tie the game. With the winning run on third, a Duhawk fielding error allowed the run to score and lifted Simpson to the 10-9 victory.
Game Two
- After being held scoreless through the first three innings, sophomore Danny Paluch opened the scoring for the Duhawks with a RBI single, scoring junior Danny Weis.
- Sophomore Jake Oglesby set the table for Loras in top of fifth with a lead-off single, followed by senior Nolan Ritter driving in a run on a single through the right side. Weis added to the rally, driving in Ritter on a fielder's choice.
- The Duhawks opened up the game in the top of the sixth and pushed across five runs, two of which came via walk and one by wild pitch.
- After coming off the bench to pinch-run for Oglesby, sophomore Sean Miller later came around to score on a throwing error, increasing the Duhawk lead to 9-0.
- After a Weis was hit by a pitch, the Joliet Catholic prep advanced to second on a passed ball and moved into scoring position before scoring on an RBI single by junior Ryan Koester.Â
- Miller launched out a pinch hit three-run home run as part of a four-run eighth inning for the Duhawks.
- Junior Pat Moriarty relieved Hovey and recorded the final three outs to secure the victory, 13-0.
NOTABLES
- The Duhawks outscored Simpson 33-16 in the weekend series
- As a team, Loras recorded its first shutout of the season and first since March 23, 2016 against Thomas
- Weis extended his season and career high on-base streak to 14 games
- Duhawks scored in every inning from the fourth on in game two
- Miller connected on his first career home run in game two
- In the series finale, Muto recorded his fifth multiple RBI game of the season, which leads the team
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Michael Muto | The Wheaton North prep went 2-for-4 in game one, collecting a triple, two RBIs and one run scored. Muto contiunes to lead the Duhawks with 16 RBI's on the season.
Robert Hovey | The Chicago native silenced the Storm bats in game two, allowing five hits and no runs with four strikeouts in seven innings of work. Hovey improved to 3-0 this season.Â
UP NEXT
The Duhawks return to action on Tuesday, March 28, for a non-conference match up against Rockford. Loras is 6-6 in non-conference action in 2017. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. from Rivets Stadium. Baseball fans can tune into the Duhawk Broadcast Network and listen live via audio stream as well as following along on Twitter (@LorasBaseball).
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