Kuehn Leads Spartans in Opener
Apr 14, 2013 | J.Crane
DUBUQUE, IOWA – The University of Dubuque Baseball team won in dramatic fashion on Sunday morning in game one of the doubleheader against Buena Vista University (12-12, 4-8). Trailing 2-0 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Spartans rallied for three runs with the game winner coming on a two-run single by Spencer Kuehn (Dana Point, Calif./Dana Hills). Kuehn also picked up the win on the mound in the 3-2 victory. UD would fall 6-2 in the second game to finish the four game series with a 2-2 split for the weekend. Dubuque is now 5-15 overall and 3-9 in the Iowa Conference. The Spartans are currently a game behind Buena Vista, Luther, and Simpson who are all tied for fifth place in the IIAC.
Game 1: UD-3, Buena Vista-2 BOX SCORE
Spencer Kuehn did a little bit of everything for the Spartans in the opener as he picked up his first career victory for the Spartans while also driving in the winning run. On the mound, Kuehn pitched all seven innings allowing only five hits and walking just one batter while striking out four. With the Spartans down to their last out and down 2-1, Kuehn singled past the outstretched glove of the BV shortstop to allow two UD runners to cross home plate and give UD a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Making his fourth consecutive start, Austin Monfross (Big Timber, Mont./Sweet Grass) led the Spartan hitters with a perfect 3-3 game including a double and run scored. Monfross accounted for three of the five UD hits in the game.
Buena Vista took an early 2-0 lead in the third inning on two Beaver hits and one Spartan error. UD would respond in their half of the inning as they loaded the bases with one out but were unable to score. Dubuque would also leave a runner in scoring position in the fifth inning.
Monfross started the seventh inning rally for UD with a single through the right side of the infield and would advance to second on a base on balls by pinch hitter Michael Riordan (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central). Monfross and Riordan would later advance on a wild pitch putting runners on second and third for Andrew Danna (Antioch, Ill./Antioch). With two outs, Danna swung at a pitch in the dirt that the BV catcher could not control allowing Danna to reach base, Riordan to move to third, and Monfross to score. After Jordan Gawronski (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Kuehn singled through the left side of the infield to score Riordan and Danna and give UD the victory.
Game 2: UD-2, Buena Vista-6 BOX SCORE
Looking to earn the series victory, UD led 2-1 going into the top of the seventh inning before Buena Vista scored three runs on three hits and two Spartan errors. Dubuque would continue to battle at the plate but were unable to push across any more runs as they stranded two base runners in the seventh and eighth inning.
Down 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning, the Spartans would load the bases on a single by Kyle Duggan (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar), a Noah Mahlik (Green Bay, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) hit by pitch, and walk to Danna. With the infield at double play depth, Gawronski hit a hard ground ball to the second basemen that resulted in a double play but scored Duggan to tie the game at 1-1.
UD would strike again in the fifth inning by playing small ball and manufacturing a run after a leadoff walk by Vince Parisi(Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew). Parisi advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a sac bunt by Duggan. With a runner on third and the BV infield drawn in to prevent the run, Mahlik singled over the head of the second baseman to give the Spartans a 2-1 advantage.
Spartan starting pitcher Tyler Trifiletti (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury) ran into trouble in the top of the seventh inning as BV scored three runs in the inning. Alan Kopp (Verona, Wis./Verona Area) entered with the game with the score tied 2-2 and took the loss after allowing the Beavers to take the lead.
UP NEXT: The Spartans are scheduled to play at Loras on Tuesday, April 16th at 3:30. The doubleheader is the make-up date for the games postponed on April 9th. The games will be played at Petrakis Field within the McAleece Sports Complex (1801 Admiral Sheehy Drive). The Spartans and Duhawks are currently tied for the best ERA in the Iowa Conference at 3.10.
