Contact:
Emily Adlfinger, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970
May 12, 2021 – On the second day of a three-day series against a crosstown rival, the Loras College baseball team (22-15, 17-14 A-R-C) split the twin bill against the University of Dubuque Spartans (16-22, 14-17 A-R-C) on Wednesday, taking the first game 5-1 before coming up on the wrong end of a 4-1 decision in the nightcap.
The Spartans took an early lead to open the day after getting a runner on off a single and driving in a run off a single up right center. It was the only lead Dubuque would hold for the remainder of the game as the Duhawks posted two runs in the top of the second after
Dylan Pardoe hit a single to the shortstop and a fielder's choice off a hit for
Daniel Rogers had two on with
Bill Luzzo up to bat. Luzzo hit a well-placed bunt to load the bases before
Joe Egan reached on an error by Dubuque's second baseman, bringing Pardoe and Rogers home. The Spartans put a runner on in the bottom of the third with one out, looking to make something happen, but the Duhawks' defense turned a double play to end the inning and responded back with an RBI double by Luzzo to bring Pardoe in for his second run of the game. Loras tacked on another run in the fifth inning after
Ryan Wohlers reached on a leadoff double and advanced to third on a sac bunt by
Alex Kelsch, setting him up to score off a single by
Luke Fennelly, sealing the win for Loras.
Egan and Luzzo both went 2-3 at the plate and Fennelly had a stolen base in the win. On the mound,
Curtis Lilienthal was credited with the win, pitching five innings and allowing only two hits while
Ethan Peters came in to close out the game and tacked on two more strikeouts to his season total and denied Dubuque a hit off seven batters.
The second game's momentum started in favor of the Spartans who scored off a groundout RBI in the bottom of the second. The Duhawks tied it up 1-1 to start the third, beginning with Wohlers hitting a single and advancing to second off a sac bunt by Kelsch and scoring off a single by Fennelly. Fennelly got himself into scoring position, stealing second, and added another base off a wild pitch, but was left on. A quick fourth inning kept the score tied but the Spartans pulled away with a 3-1 lead following a two-run RBI and posted another in the bottom of the sixth on the throw to catch a Spartan stealing second. The Duhawks looked to get something going in their last trip to the plate, but the Spartans held on for the win.
Dakota Church, Fennelly, Luzzo and Wohlers each had a hit in the game while Fennelly added an RBI and stolen base.
Owen Funke got the start for game two, registering two strikeouts in five innings and allowing six hits with three runs.
Davis Pasco pitched one inning with two strikeouts, three hits and one run scored.
The Duhawks and Spartans will wrap up the series Thursday, May 13 with a nine-inning game. First pitch is set for 4 P.M. at Dan W. Runkle Field.
