Spartans Bats Held In Check in Series Opener
May 5, 2017
WAVERLY, Iowa – In game one of a crucial three game, Iowa Conference series, the University of Dubuque baseball team fell to Wartburg College in a pitcher’s duel that lasted on 1:40, 2-1.
Neither team had many scoring chances for the first seven innings as both starting pitchers dominated. Wartburg put runners on second and third base in the sixth inning with two outs, but UD’s Chase Kueter was able to get a ground ball to escape the jam and keep the game scoreless.
Wartburg finally busted through in the eighth inning when Blake Mahoney doubled to left field to bring home two Knights. Keuter was able to limit the damge to two runs and keep the Spartans within striking distance.
The Spartans would not go quietly, Kelvin Medrano ripped a one out double in the top of the ninth before Thomas Kempf singled two batters later to make it a 2-1 game in favor of Wartburg with two outs. UD’s mini rally was haulted there as Marquis Dew grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game.
The starting pitchers for both teams went the distance; UD’s Chase Kueter threw eight innings, allowing two hits and two runs while striking out two Knights. The Spartans offense could solve Wartburg’s Max Langheinrich, who struck out 12 UD batters while limiting UD to four hits and one run on his way to a complete game victory.
Thomas Kempf was the only Spartan to reach base twice, coming up with two hits and one RBI. Michael Salazar, Kelvin Medrano recorded the other two UD hits.
UD’s Iowa Conference title hopes are still alive but will now need to sweep the doubleheader tomorrow which begins at 1:00 p.m. in Waverly, Iowa.
