DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College baseball team celebrated the life of proud Loras alumni Juliann Hayes, who is the mother of sophomore outfielder
Patrick Hayes at Petrakis Park with a pair of conference games against Wartburg College. The Purple and Gold would drop game one 21-11 but would salvage game two 17-5.
Game One
Wartburg (9-8, 3-3 A-R-C) took an early lead as they gathered three runs in the first inning, and they followed that by holding off Loras' bats for the next three innings.
While the game was still within reach for the Duhawks, they would fall victim to their own mistakes. In the top of the fourth inning, the Knights would get their first runner on with a walk. Just one batter later, Wartburg hit a home run and followed that with multiple doubles. The three run top half of the frame, was followed with a two-run bottom half by the Purple and Gold, but it was to no avail.
Loras (13-7, 3-2) was never able to trim the lead to less than three, despite
Max McCallum going 4-for-5 and
Jake Olszewski collecting three hits.
One wholesome note from game one was the aforementioned
Patrick Hayes, who had a whole host of family and friends in attendance, found some green grass in the outfield and earned a single and a run scored.
Despite a relatively strong performance offensively from Loras' bats, they could not slow down the Wartburg offense, eventually ceding game one, 21-11.
Game Two
After an emotional balloon release, and ceremonial first pitch thrown by Hayes' father, the Duhawks were ready for revenge.
And for all of those in attendance, they didn't have to wait long.
Daniel Giusto escaped a bases loaded jam in the top of the first, with Loras falling in order in the bottom of the frame. But the second is where the action started, as a clean top half again from the sophomore pitcher gave way for an offensive onslaught from the Duhawks.
The Purple and Gold hit through the order and then some. A trio of doubles from
Colin Kissane,
Trevor Segraves, and
Justin Gutierrez, along with a whole host of other contributors reaching base, helped establish a seven-run cushion. That was until
Vince Polizzi unleashed his second homer in as many games, which allowed Loras to put up a nine spot in the bottom of the second.
The logical thing to think was, the bats might slow down with such a large lead. But that logic was completely thrown out the window, as the bottom of the third was another masterful performance for the position players. Taking advantage of eight free bases being allowed by Wartburg, another seven runs would come across and that would put a bow on the contest.
Loras would eventually coast to a 17-5 victory in game two.
The Expansive and Loving Loras Family
For the first time ever, the Loras College baseball team wore green. No, the Duhawks aren't undergoing a massive colorway change, but instead, the green was worn to honor the life and legacy of Juliann Hayes. Her passing in November of 2024 was a loss felt by everyone in the program, and we thought it was only right to honor such an amazing individual. The green represented the Hayes' Irish heritage, and it was worn proudly by everyone on the team. We are forever grateful to know and to call the Hayes family, our family. Forever Duhawks.
On Deck: A rubber match between Loras and Wartburg is set for March 29 at Petrakis Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. but could be moved to 11:00 a.m. if weather conditions are not favorable.
