Big innings in each game from the visitors give them the edge in a weekday-doubleheader
NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola University New Orleans baseball team returned home this week to begin a weekday series with Bryant and Stratton College, falling in game one 9-4 and game two 4-2 Monday night at Segnette Field
Neither team was able to crack the run column through the first three innings of game one, with the visitors tacking on two in the top of the fourth. The Wolf Pack (5-6) would respond with a big bottom of the frame, with Brandon Wilson Jr. ripping a triple to deep right-center field to score Jesse Jordan. Wilson would come across after Allen Dennis hit into a 4-3 ground out, before Payton Alexander and Michael Toscano put two more baserunners on for Loyola. A single from Charlie Seiter brought both runners in to give the Pack a 4-2 advantage, however, the Bobcats would plate five in the following inning to reclaim the lead.
After adding on two more runs later in the contest, Bryant and Stratton would go on to take game one by a score of 9-4.
The visiting bats continued to roll in game two, leading off the game with a one-run first, before the Pack responded with one of their own on a single from Alexander. Loyola stepped out in front 2-1 in the next frame, after a sacrifice fly from Zachary Cook brought Seiter across home plate. A three-run third from the Bobcats would be the last offense of the game, as the Pack were unable to add any more runs in the final five innings.
The two teams will face off in game three of the series tomorrow, February 19 at 4 p.m. at Segnette Field.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Doug Faust
"It was a tough doubleheader, those guys swung the bats well and are obviously a pretty good hitting team. They also threw two pitchers that threw complete games against us. I thought we had the left-hander on the ropes there in the fourth inning, but he got through it and they gave him a lead. He just pretty much dominated us the rest of the way through the last three innings. We played much better defensively than we played this past weekend, I was encouraged with that. We fought until the last out and had the tying run on base."
"I think we just got beat tonight in both games. First game we gave up a few baserunners to walks and Larry got a little tired, but I thought all the guys on the mound did the job for us tonight. We played well defensively, I thought we swung the bats okay, they just beat us. That's all you can say, they played better than us both games. "
Pack Facts
Payton Alexander finished the day 2-5 with a run scored, one RBI and a stolen base.
After going 1-3 with a run scored from the DH slot in game one, Michael Toscano came on in relief in game two, tossing a clean four innings of no-run ball while striking out five batters.
Brandon Wilson Jr. smacked a triple in game one today for his fifth extra-base hit of the season, now with three doubles and a home run to go with his three-bagger.
Loyola swiped three bags today, as Alexander, Charlie Seiter and Jase Biehl each stole a base.
A part-time pitcher, Biehl showed off his arm from right field tonight, picking up a pair of outfield assists.
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.
