March 14, 2008

Baseball Swept by Mines

Lopers Strand 18; Hull Finishes 6 for 9

     Kearney, Neb. – The Colorado School of Mines baseball team got strong starts from pitchers Cris Rogers and Cory Ast, and a key save from Marshall Schuler, to sweep Nebraska-Kearney, 7-2 and 4-3, Friday afternoon at Memorial Field.

      The Orediggers have now won five of its last six games to improve to 5-4 in the RMAC and to 7-13 overall. These games were the first at home for the Lopers (7-13, 3-7 RMAC) this year. UNK has now lost five in a row and six of its last seven games.

     The blue and gold left 10 runners on base in the first game and eight more in the second. The night cap ended when the Lopers, with bases loaded and out one, hit into a game ending 6-4-3 double play.

      On the other side of the diamond, Mines hit all the right buttons, having two three run innings in the first game and getting the most out of  its six hits to score four times in the second contest.

      In game one, Rogers threw seven strong innings, allowing just six hits and two walks while fanning three. He settled down after senior Chris Gillaspy (Henderson, Nev.) led off the first with a double and came around to score on a ground out by senior Joe Nowaczyk (Gretna).

      Loper starter Ryan Sheldon (Kearney H.S.) baffled Mines the first four innings as he struck out six and gave up just two hits. However, Mines tacked on three runs in the fifth on the strength of four hits and a Loper error.

      The first three Orediggers hit singles, tying the game, and then the error allowed the inning to continue. With two outs, Caleb Rudkin (2 for 4) delivered a two run single up the middle that gave Mines the lead for good.

      A three run Mines' sixth featured a two run triple by Nick Wong that fell just inside the foul line. For the game, Michael Svejcar (3 for 3, two runs) paced a 12-hit 'Digger attack.

      UNK saw juniors Brad Hull (Lincoln) and Leon de Winter (The Netherlands) each have three hits in the loss.

      Like Rogers, Ast earned his first win of 2008 by almost going the distance. He allowed 10 hits and three earned runs in six full innings. He also struck out five Lopers and walked just two.

      UNK again scored in the first inning as senior Trey Howell (Antonito, Colo.) hit a sac fly to left that scored Hull (3 for 4, two runs). Howell added another sac fly in the fourth inning.

      Mines, on two hits and error, scored two unearned runs in the fifth to move ahead by two.  Svejcar had an RBI single in the set with Anthony Siderius scoring on a passed ball.

      In the bottom of the seventh, Schuler came on and promptly walked Howell and gave up a double to Nowaczyk (2 for 4). After getting a strike out, Schuler intentionally walked de Winter to set up a double play. The double play then happened with the next batter.

      Blair sophomore Ryan Seefus was the tough luck loser as he tossed a six hit complete game. Walking four and fanning two, he falls to 1-3 on the season.

      Weather permitting, the two teams will play another double dip tomorrow starting at noon.