After dropping yesterday's contest, Loyola bounced back to sweep today's doubleheader and take the series win
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - In their final games on the regular season schedule the Loyola University New Orleans baseball team took games two and three of their series with Stillman College Saturday at Tiger Park, winning game one 13-8 and game two 9-6.
While Stillman (17-21) jumped out to an early lead in game one, the Wolf Pack (24-29) never gave up, fueled by consistent batting throughout the seven-inning contest. With the Tigers scoring two in the bottom of the first, the Pack responded with a run in the top of the second, as Jase Biehl reached base on a walk before scoring on a single to second base from Nathan Law. While the home team would take a four-run lead in the bottom of the second, Loyola responded with two more in the top of the third, beginning their streak of scoring in six consecutive innings.
Down three, Zachary Cook came around to score on a throwing error from the third baseman, one of his three runs in game one, before the Wolf Pack took an 8-7 lead behind a four-run fifth inning. Senior Ben Condara delivered the big hit in the fifth, hitting a bases-loaded double down the left field line that scored all three runners.
After making it a two-run game in the top of the sixth inning, Loyola tacked on four more in the seventh as they batted through the lineup with Cook coming to the plate twice in the inning. Joseph Kuchler would earn the win in game one to claim his sixth of the year, as the Pack took the 13-8 victory.
In the second game of the day, and rubber match of the series, the Tigers took an early lead once again with a run in the first. Similar to the earlier game however, the bats of Loyola didn't back down, scoring two in the second inning. While each team plated a run in the fourth inning to make it a 3-2 Wolf Pack lead, Stillman College would eventually jump out front in the following inning.
With Nathan Law and Allen Dennis scoring on an error two make it a 5-2 game, the Tigers responded with four of their own, jumping out to a 6-5 lead. With neither team able to score in the sixth, it all came down to the seventh and final inning.
Fueled by four runs on four base hits in the inning, the Wolf Pack offense reclaimed the lead. A leadoff walk by Charlie Seiter followed by a single from Dennis eventually put two runners on for Spencer Rosenbohm. The senior delivered a big hit yet again, driving both in with a single to left field.
Biehl would slap a pinch-hit single to second base to bring Rosenbohm in for the third run in the inning before coming around to score on an error. Brended Taravella would earn the win in game two of the day after tossing two clean innings and striking out three.
The Pack will now turn their attention to the Southern States Athletic Conference Championships next week, with their first game scheduled for Wednesday, May 2nd at 7 p.m. against the one-seed Faulkner.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Doug Faust
"Obviously I'm really proud of the guys the way they bounced back after losing 13-3 yesterday. In the first game we kept having good at bats and kept getting big hits. Joseph did a really good job keeping us in the game, and Gary came in and threw great to give us a big win.
"In game two there wasn't as much hitting from either team, the starting pitchers did a good job. A.J. did a good job starting for us and our relievers did great."
"We've come a long way since the beginning of the year, winning these close games on the road, especially when they're close on the scoreboard."
Pack Facts
Jesse Jordan combined to go 2-4 with four runs scored, an RBI and two walks in both games today.
Zachary Cook scored three runs in game one today and has now scored a team-best 31 on the season.
In both games, Jase Biehl combined to go 2-4 with three runs scored, an RBI, a stolen base and one walk.
Gary Cavallo Jr. came on in relief to close out game one today, throwing three scoreless innings to earn his first save of the year.
Senior Joseph Kuchler earned his sixth victory on the season in game one today, tying his career-best for wins in a season last year.
In game two, Brenden Taravella pitched two innings of no-run ball to pick up his second win of the season 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.
