Baseball Drops Home Opener 2-3 to Rams
Mar 25, 2016
The Spartans look to hit their way back on Saturday after losing Friday's game against the North Central University Rams
by a 2-3 score. Saturday's doubleheader against the Rams begins at 10:00 a.m.
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque baseball team had high hopes entering the Easter Weekend Series with the North Central University Rams from Minnesota. Unfortunately the Spartans fell short 2-3 in the Spartans home opener on Friday afternoon, despite out hitting the Rams.
UD would strand 13 runners on base including the game tying and winning runs on second and third bases in the bottom of the ninth. The game was scoreless through four innings before the Rams scored all three of their runs in the top of the fifth inning on two hits.
The Spartans would cut the lead to a lone run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Gaetano Florio tripled to center field. Florio scored on a passed ball by the Rams. Kyle May reached on an error by right field and advanced to second. Jarad Clevenger popped up to leftfield and Dalton Garst walked, in the next at bat. May advanced to third on a wild pitch. Will Doherty flied out to leftfield for the sacrifice and RBI, scoring May. Austin McWhite ended the inning with two runners on with a deep fly out to centerfield.
The Spartans would get two hits in the eighth, but ended the inning with bases loaded. One chance left in the bottom of the ninth still trailing by a run. The Rams started the inning with a hit by pitch to Garst. A walk to McWhite would put two runners on base. Phillip Byrd cam in a pitch ran for Garst. A flyout advanced Byrd to third and McWhite stole second with two outs. a ground out would end the game in favor of the visiting Rams 3-2.
Florio finished the day with hits in 3-4 at bats. Jarad Clevenger grabbed a pair of hits in five at bats. Reed Stumpf took the loss after pitching 4.2 innings and striking put nine after facing 23 batters. Doug Van Dyke came in for relief and finished the game throwing 4.1 innings with eight strike outs after facing 15 batters.
UD will continue the weekend series on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 26 of the doubleheader. Rain is forecasted for Saturday in the Dubuque area.
