Behind Padilla and Karnick, Baseball Clinches 1st IIAC Tourney Berth Since 2005
May 1, 2016
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Junior Jacob Padilla tossed a 7.0 inning complete game shutout and senior Daniel Karnick surrendered one run in 8.0 innings as the University of Dubuque baseball team beat Central, 6-0, and 5-3 to complete the 4-game sweep and earn their first Iowa Conference tournament bid since 2005.
It was the Spartans (19-17, 12-12 Iowa Conference) first Iowa Conference sweep since 2008 over Coe as they clinched an IIAC tournament spot with Loras’ game one loss to Wartburg earlier Sunday.
UD starters were lights out as Padilla (3-3) surrendered just two hits while striking out six in his first complete game of the season and Karnick (3-0) carried a shutout into the eighth inning until an RBI-single. Central’s run in the eighth broke an 18-inning, scoreless streak dating back to game two on Friday afternoon.
In the four-game sweep over Central (8-28, 5-19 Iowa Conference), seven Spartan pitchers allowed five earned runs and struck out 25 while posting a 1.41 ERA in 32.0 innings pitched.
UD nabbed the sixth and final seed for the IIAC tournament back in 2005 thanks to a 19-18, 7-9 record.
The Spartans seek their first 20+ win season since 1995 while looking to improve their Iowa Conference tournament seed next weekend at Luther.
Game One
Padilla Lights Out in First Complete Game Shutout
UD wins 6-0
The Central bats were silent against Padilla after leaving two on base and mustering two hits.
With Padilla tossing a gem on the mound, the Spartans scored six runs combined in the fifth and sixth innings.
A pair of RBI-singles by 3B Dalton Garst and C Will Doherty, followed by a LF Jacob Evans squeeze bunt fueled a four-run fifth to break open the pitchers’ duel. UD tacked on two more in the sixth to secure the final margin.
Garst and SS Gaetano Florio led five different Spartans who each collected a hit while also adding two runs scored apiece.
Game Two
Karnick Remains Undefeated, Nearly Completes Shutout
UD wins 5-3
Karnick improved to 3-0 and surrendered his only run in the eighth inning, but kept the Dutch bats honest in surrendering six hits.
Things got dicey in the top of the ninth with Central trailing, 5-3. With runners on first and second, freshman Chase Kueter earned the one-out save thanks to a flyout to end the game.
Central outhit the Spartans, 8-6, but UD took advantage of two hits and one RBI by DH Michael Salazar, playing in his 15th game of the season.
