Martin Pitches Spartans to Split with Buena Vista
Apr 13, 2013 | J.Crane
DUBUQUE, IOWA – The University of Dubuque Baseball team earned a split on Saturday afternoon against Buena Vista University (11-11, 3-7). The Spartans took Game 2, 3-0, behind the strong pitching effort of Nick Martin (Orland Hills, Ill./Andrew). Martin struck out nine while allowing no walks in the complete game shutout. UD lost the opener of the four game series 5-2. Dubuque is now 4-14 overall and 2-8 in the Iowa Conference. The Spartans are 4-1 when leading after 6 innings.
Game 1: UD-2, Buena Vista-5 BOX SCORE
The Spartans and BVU played even ball in the opening game of the day with the score tied 2-2 after four innings. The Beavers went on to score three unearned runs in the fifth to take the lead. Noah Mahlik (Green Bay, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) went 3-3 with one run scored to lead UD at the plate.
Trailing 1-0 after a first inning home run by Buena Vista, UD scored in the bottom of the third on a BVU error. Dubuque started the inning with walks by Mahlik and Andy Danna (Antioch, Ill./Antioch Community). Mahlik would score from second base on a Jordan Gawronski (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) fielding choice that was throw away by BV at first base when attempting to turn the double play.
After a second Beaver home run, the Spartans would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Spencer Kuehn (Dana Point, Calif./Dana Hills) led off the inning with a double down the left field line and would score on a RBI single by Martin.
Josh Eastman (Edgerton, Wis./Edgerton) took the loss on the mound allowing two earned runs in the complete game effort. Eastman struck out six while allowing ten hits.
Danna’s first inning double increased his school record total to 40. He is the only player in school history with 40-doubles, 20-triples, and 10-home runs.
Game 2: UD-3, Buena Vista-0 BOX SCORE
Dubuque and Buena Vista played scoreless ball through three innings before the Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a double by Kuehn. The double over the centerfielders head by Kuehn scored Danna and Gawronski.
The Spartans played small ball for their third run of the game. Austin Monfross (Big Timber, Mont./Sweet Grass) lead off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Steve Ryan (Loveland, Colo./Mountain View). After a single by Mahlik put runners on first and third, Danna hit a deep fly ball to centerfield to score Monfross.
Martin improved his record to 3-1 with three complete games in earning the victory. He scattered seven hits and did not walk a hitter in the game. The shutout lowered his ERA to a team best 1.44.
UD leads the IIAC with a team ERA of 3.07.
UP NEXT: The Spartans host Buena Vista on Sunday, April 14th. Game 1 is scheduled to start at 11:00 am. Live stats will be available at http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/dbq.portal#
