Spartans Split Behind 13 Runs in Opener
Apr 8, 2014 | J.Crane
DUBUQUE, IOWA - The University of Dubuque Baseball team earned a split in the Iowa Conference (IIAC) doubleheader versus Loras on Tuesday night. The Spartans scored in every inning en route to a season high 13 runs in the 13-4 victory in game one. UD lost the nightcap 5-4. Daniel Casanova (Lake Tapps, Wash./Auburn Riverside) reached base six times in the doubleheader with three hits, two hit-by-pitches, and a walk. The Spartans are 9-14 overall and 5-7 in the IIAC.
| Score by Innings | -- Game 1 -- | R | H | E | |||||||
| Spartans | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | - | 13 | 15 | 4 |
| Loras | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | 4 | 7 | 2 |
| WIN: J.Eastman (3-2) LOSS: J.Gerardy (2-3) | |||||||||||
| BOX SCORE | |||||||||||
The Spartans left no doubt that they came ready to play in the opening game of the doubleheader setting season highs with 13 runs and 15 hits. The Spartans 13 runs were the most since March 15, 2012 while the 15 hits were the most since March 30, 2012. Reigning Iowa Conference Pitcher of the Week Josh Eastman (Edgerton, Wis./Edgerton) earned the victory with six strong inning on two days rest. The freshman class put together a strong performance with 13 of UD's 15 hits and 10 of 13 runs scored. Eddie Pablo (Yelm, Wash./Yelm) reached base in all five of his plate appearances with three walks and two doubles.
Casanova got the offense going right away with a single to center field and advanced to third after a failed pickoff attempt. Pablo followed with a RBI double to left center to put UD on the scoreboard first. UD was threatening again after Vince Parisi (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) was hit by pitch and Austin McWhite (Orlando, Fla./Wekiva) singled to loaded the bases. Dalton Garst (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) put the Spartans on the board again with a sac fly to center field. Parisi scored the third run of the inning on a fielders choice by Jacob Evans (Normal, Ill./Normal West).
| Iowa Conference Standings | ||
| School | IIAC | ALL |
| Wartburg | 9-3 | 15-9 |
| Buena Vista | 8-4 | 19-5 |
| Loras | 8-4 | 10-9 |
| Simpson | 6-8 | 13-11 |
| Coe | 6-8 | 9-12 |
| Dubuque | 5-7 | 9-14 |
| Central | 5-7 | 13-10 |
| Luther | 3-9 | 9-13 |
After two Loras runs in the bottom of the first, UD scored again in the second with doubles by Pablo and McWhite to take a 4-2 lead. The Spartans extended their lead to 6-2 with a run in the third on a RBI triple by Steve Ryan (Loveland, Colo./Mountain View) and a run in the fourth on a sac fly by Parisi.
UD put the game out of reach with three runs and three hits with two outs in the fifth. Ryan started the two-out rally with a single to right field and advanced to second on a drag bunt single by Gaetano Florio (Youngtown, Ariz./Willow Canyon). Casanova hit a two run triple and scored on a wild pitch to give the Spartans a 9-2 lead. UD scored their seventh unanswered run in the sixth with another two out rally.
Patience won out for the Spartans in the seventh as they scored three runs on no hits. Casanova, Pablo, Parisi, and McWhite all walked and made their way around the bases thanks to seven Loras wild pitches.
Casanova finished the game 3-4 with four runs, two RBI, a triple, a walk and stolen base. McWhite also finished with three hits including his team leading seventh double of the year.
Eastman earned his 10th career victory by going six strong innings. He allowed seven hits and four runs (two earned). Tyler Trifiletti (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury) pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to end the game.
| Score by Innings | -- Game 2 -- | R | H | E | |||||||||
| Spartans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| Loras | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | - | 5 | 9 | 0 |
| WIN: M.Canady (1-0) LOSS: R.Stumpf (0-2) SAVE: A.Schwoebel (1) | |||||||||||||
| BOX SCORE | |||||||||||||
The Spartans spotted Loras a three run lead in game two falling behind 3-0 after four innings before battling back. UD broke through in the fifth with one run of two hits. Garst led off the innings with a single to left field and advanced to second on a passed ball. Ryan Karrick (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) moved Garst to third before Evans reached on an infield single to score Garst and make the score 3-1. Loras answered back with two runs of their own to lead 5-1 after five innings.
UD would not go away quietly scoring two runs in the sixth. Casanova began the rally by getting hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a double by Pablo, his third of the day. With two outs, McWhite singled up the middle to score Casanova and Pablo.
After a scoreless seventh, UD was on the offensive again with Casanova getting hit by a pitch for the second consecutive at bat. He then preceded to steal his 19th base of the year and scored on a single by Parisi to pull within one run at 5-4. Down a run going into the ninth, the Spartans were able to put the tying run on second base before Casanova lined out to end the game.
Dubuque native Reed Stumpf (Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead) took the loss working four innings with three strike outs. Justin Naval (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards) pitched a scoreless final 3 1/3 innings of relief.
UP NEXT: The Spartans will host IIAC leading Wartburg on Friday, April 11th. UD and Wartburg will complete the four game series with another doubleheader on Saturday, April 12th. First pitch each day is 1:00 pm.
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