Spartan Baseball Clipped by Pair of Simpson Walk-Offs
May 1, 2015
INDIANOLA, Iowa - The University of Dubuque baseball team surrendered a 6-2 lead in the final inning of game one in walk-off loss to Simpson, 7-6, and were outdone in game two, 5-4, thanks to Simpson's RBI-single in the bottom of the 11th on Friday afternoon. Both teams had been eliminated from Iowa Conference Tournament contention and had nothing to lose in their final series of the year.
Game One
BOX SCORE
Spartans fall 7-6
The Spartans (12-26, 7-19 Iowa Conference) utilized a steady attack to mount a 6-2 advantage after six innings and looked to add their second win in the last three games. Simpson (12-25, 8-18 Iowa Conference) had other plans and proceeded to plate five runs on seven hits, including a two-run home run, in the bottom of the seventh to take the victory in comeback fashion.
The Storm reached on a costly error to begin the seventh inning that led to four of their five runs being unearned. It was the Spartans only error on the game.
Spartan senior starter Josh Eastman (2-8) had a solid outing going after allowing just two earned runs through six innings. The Simpson offense came alive as Eastman surrendered a total of seven runs (three earned) and 11 hits in 6.2 innings on the bump.
Offensively for the Spartans, leftfielder Jacob Evans and catcher Dalton Garst produced two hits and two RBIs a piece. Garst's one-out, RBI-double, followed by a run scored aided a two-run effort in the top of the sixth that gave the Spartans the 6-2 lead heading into the final inning.
The Spartan offense finished with 12 hits, while Simpson collected 13.
Game Two
BOX SCORE
Spartans fall 5-4 (11 innings)
Early scoring saw the game tied up 4-4 after the sixth inning. A pitching duel ensued as both teams combined for one hit over the next four-and-a-half innings. Finally, Simpson loaded the bases in the bottom of the 11th and plated the winning run on a walk-off, infield single hit back to the pitcher.
UD reliever Tyler Trifiletti (1-3) took the last-minute loss after relieving Spartan starter Trent Van Egtern in the top of the seventh. Trifiletti tossed a solid 4.2 innings after giving up just one earned run and two hits while striking out six.
The Spartans were led at the dish by Garst and first basemen Austin McWhite as each collected two hits. Garst's single in the top of the seventh sparked an offensive drought that led to 18 straight retired batters between both teams. McWhite broke the streak with a single through the left side in the top of the 10th. The Spartans finished with eight hits and the Storm ended up with seven.
Simpson finished both games with two outs and bases loaded and has won eight of the last nine meetings against the Spartans dating back to 2013.
The Spartans will get a chance to redeem themselves tomorrow, May 2, at 1:00 p.m. in their final doubleheader of the season.
