In their opening conference series against Martin Methodist, Loyola drops game one 0-3 and game two 1-10 on Saturday before taking a 3-1 victory on Sunday
PULASKI, Tenn. - The Loyola University New Orleans baseball team took to the road this weekend to begin their Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) schedule, taking one of three games in a Saturday and Sunday series with Martin Methodist.
In game one the Wolf Pack (13-7, 1-2) bats had a difficult time getting anything going off the RedHawks' (7-7, 2-1) pitching. While starting pitcher Jason Roussel pitched a solid game for Loyola, the offense only managed to pick up two hits. Martin Methodist starter Ben Hargrove pitched 6.1 innings while striking out 12, getting a run in the second, third and sixth inning to earn the win, with a final score of 3-0 in favor of the home team.
Game two was a tough one for the Pack as well, as the RedHawks jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. While Loyola was able to plate one in the next inning on a Spencer Rosenbohm sac-fly that scored Allen Dennis, Martin Methodist came right back with three more runs in the bottom of the inning. The home team would go on to win game two of Saturday's doubleheader 10-1.
Looking to win and avoid the sweep, the Loyola offense jumped out of the gate to begin game three. After Zachary Cook reached base via an error to lead the game off, Jesse Jordan smacked a double to center, putting runners in scoring position. Cook came across home plate on a fielder's choice, before Dennis drove in Jordan with a single. The reigning SSAC Pitcher of the Week, Joseph Kuchler took to the mound to start game three today, picking up right where he left off, tossing six shutout innings while only allowing four hits.
In the fourth inning, Loyola added a third run after Cook hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Rosenbohm. After Martin Methodist scored a run of their own in the seventh inning, Brenden Taravella came in for his second consecutive two-inning save to seal the 3-1 victory for the Pack.
The Wolf Pack will return home to Segnette Field this week, hosting Dakota State University for a doubleheader tomorrow, March 5th beginning at 3 p.m.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Doug Faust
On Game One:
"In the first game, Jason Roussel pitched really well, unfortunately their guy pitched better. We had some good at bats against them and had some opportunities, but their pitcher kept making pitches. Jason did a good job keeping balance in the game."
On Game Two:
"In the second game we did not pitch well, two big innings did us in. We made some good pitches that we gave up hits on, and made some bad pitches that we gave up hits on. We didn't do anything offensively, their pitcher was good. He threw a complete game on is, he wasn't overpowering but he was really effective with his slider."
"I told the guys after the second game, that today has no bearing on tomorrow's game, so we have got to go out tomorrow and try to win a game in the series."
On Game Three:
"Obviously we pitched really well today, Joseph gave us six excellent innings, A.J. came in for relief and then Taravella finished it for us. We didn't bat really well today, we could have and should have gotten ourselves a little more breathing room, we left a lot of guys on base, but some of that credit goes to their [Martin Methodist] pitching."
"I thought we played well in all phases of the game. I'm really proud of the guys, the way they responded today after last night. To move on and get a win today was great."
Pack Facts
The Loyola pitching staff has held their opponents to three or fewer runs in a game in 15 of 20 contests so far this season.
First Baseman Allen Dennis is now riding an 11-game hitting streak, batting .500 (15-30) with nine runs scored, 15 RBI, four doubles and three home runs during that span.
Outfielder Jesse Jordan collected a career-best four hits in game three of this weekend's series, going 4-5 with one run scored and a double.
Jordan has now recorded a hit in eight of his last 10 games, including four multi-hit games, and is batting .424 (14-33) with five runs scored, seven RBI, four doubles and five stolen bases.
Joseph Kuchler has not allowed a run in his last three outings, going 2-0 in 14 innings pitched, with eight strikeouts while only allowing five hits and two walks.
Kuchler is now 3-1 with a 1.08 ERA on the season.
Freshman closer Brenden Taravella has now pitched five-straight games without allowing a run.
On the season, Taravella has made 10 appearances, pitching 14 innings, with a 0.63 ERA, a team-leading 21 strikeouts and collected six saves, which is tied for the most in the NAIA.
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.
