Spartans Outdone by Strong Buena Vista Pitching
Mar 28, 2015
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque baseball team scored three unearned runs in 9-3 game one defeat to Buena Vista and dropped nightcap, 4-1, as they finish their opening weekend of Iowa Conference play 1-3 against the Beavers.
Game One
Buena Vista wins 9-3
BOX SCORE
For the third straight game, the Spartans (6-9, 1-2 Iowa Conference) took an early 2-0 lead through two innings. UD plated two unearned runs in the bottom of the second aided by a fielding error that allowed 3B Gaetano Florio to get on base. A subsequent Beaver throw that tried to stop the advancing Spartan runners ended up in the UD dugout. By rule, it gave the Spartans a pair of free bases, resulting in a pair of runs.
An error and two-RBI double fueled a three-run counter attack by the Beavers (12-2, 2-1 Iowa Conference) in the top of the third to give Buena Vista the 3-2 lead. A four-run follow up in the fifth inning, aided by four singles and a double, put the game out of reach as BVU jumped out to 7-3 lead after five innings. The Beavers scored two insurance runs in the top of the seventh after one hit and one Spartan fielding error.
It was tough sledding throughout the game as Beaver starter Jake Bjorkgren (3-0) limited the Spartan bats to four hits and three unearned runs while striking out five.
UD catcher Will Doherty earned the only RBI via a squeeze bunt in the fourth and was one of four Spartans to record a hit. Doherty also scored one run as well.
Spartan starter Reed Stumpf (0-1) pitched a scoreless first two innings, but gave up seven runs (six earned) in the next three to record his first decision of the year. Stumpf also surrendered eight hits and struck out two in 5.0 innings on the mound. UD reliever Tyler Trifiletti gave up two unearned runs in the seventh, but allowed just one hit while striking out four in 2.0 innings of relief.
It was a messy affair in the field as both teams combined for six errors, four for Buena Vista and two for UD. All three Spartan runs were unearned.
Game Two
Buena Vista wins 4-1
BOX SCORE
In the cleanest game of the four-game series, the Beavers jumped out early after plating two runs in the top of the first thanks in part to three straight singles to start the game. The Spartans (6-10, 1-3 Iowa Conference) countered with one run in the bottom of the third on a LF Trace Florek RBI-double to cut the lead to 2-1.
Florek earned the Spartans lone RBI and provided a team-high two hits.
An RBI-single and sacrifice fly concluded the scoring for Buena Vista (13-2, 3-1 Iowa Conference) and provided the final margin of victory.
Both teams earned their keep as the first error didn't occur until the top of the ninth inning and didn't affect the game's scoring. It was the only game in the series not to feature an unearned run.
The Spartans finished with six hits, including three doubles. Hits and runs were hard to come by against Beaver starter Jacob Hadaway (2-0) who remained undefeated after surrendering five hits and one earned run while striking out seven in 6.0 innings of work. Hadaway's brother, Lucas Hadaway, secured his IIAC-leading sixth save after giving up one hit in a scoreless ninth.
Despite a quality start, RHP Jacob Padilla (1-2), was tagged with the tough-luck loss after tossing 6.0 innings and surrendering three earned runs and nine hits while striking out five. Reliever LHP Trent Van Egtern pitched effectively in 3.0 innings of relief, allowing one earned run and one hit.
UD will drop to 36-78 in the series against Buena Vista.
The Spartans face rival Loras (9-9, 4-4 Iowa Conference) for the first of two meetings this Tuesday, March 31 at 3:30 p.m. The Duhawks went 1-3 in their series against Coe this weekend.
