In a day dominated by the pitchers, the Wolf Pack fell by just one run in each game
MCKENZIE, Tenn. - In the first two games of their road series at Bethel, the Loyola University New Orleans baseball team dropped game one 3-2 and game two 1-0 Thursday afternoon at Wildcat Park.
The Wolf Pack (15-17, 1-10) struck first in game one today, after Nathan Law reached base on a walk and was later brought in on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch. Starter Gary Cavallo Jr. kept the Wildcats (12-13, 6-5) off the board until the fourth inning, when the home team was able to tie the game at one. In the top of the fifth, Jesse Jordan led off the inning with a walk before making his way to third base via a passed ball and wild pitch. With one out in the inning, Ben Condara struck out but advanced to first on an ensuing passed ball, allowing Jordan to make it safely home to make it a 2-1 ball game.
However, Bethel would respond in the bottom of the fifth with two runs to take a one run lead, and go on to win the seven-inning game 3-2.
The second game of the day saw more outstanding pitching performances from both teams. For Loyola, senior Jason Roussel tossed five shutout innings before allowing the first run of the game in the sixth. While that would be the only run allowed by the Pack, the bats were unable to produce any runs, forcing Loyola to take a 1-0 loss in a nine-inning game two.
The Wolf Pack will be back in action tomorrow, as they close out their road series with Bethel, playing the third and final game tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Doug Faust
"These were two really well pitched games today. From Gary and A.J. in the first game, and Jason in the second game. The issue all day was that we didn't swing the bats well, their pitching had something to do with it. We didn't get an RBI-hit the whole day."
"We had a couple of chances in the first game, and numerous during the second. But like I said, have to give credit to their pitchers for making big pitches in big spots. We'll come back tomorrow with Kuchler on the mound and hope we can get some timely hits and come home with a win."
Pack Facts
Charlie Seiter went 2-3 in game two today, registering his fourth multi-hit game of the season and setting a career-high for doubles in a game with two.
The junior is now batting .333 (18/54) on the year.
Senior Rawlings Elam and freshman Allen Dennis recorded a hit in each game today.
Senior Jason Roussel made his second consecutive start today of six or more innings and allowing only one earned run.
Roussel has now made nine appearances for Loyola this season, starting in eight of them, and allowed no more than two earned runs in each game.
In a season-best 7.1 innings of work today, Roussel struck out a season-high five batters.
Gary Cavallo Jr. pitched a season-best 6.0 innings today, allowing three earned runs while striking out three.
You can keep up with the Pack this season by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.
