Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Loyola jumps out to an early lead and holds on in game one, before claiming their second victory by forcing a bases-loaded walk-off walk
NEW ORLEANS – It was a cold and overcast day but the Loyola University New Orleans baseball team came out hot to begin the season, picking up a pair of victories over Lindenwood-Belleville 3-2 in game one and 4-3 in the second Friday night at Segnette Field.
The Wolf Pack (2-0) gave the season-opening nod to starter A.J. Smith, who came out and tossed five clean innings of one-hit ball to keep the Lynx (1-5) off the board. The home team quickly provided the junior pitcher with run support, as Nathan Law reached on a walk before coming in to score on a shot down the third-base line from Allen Dennis. Loyola brought two more across home plate in the third, after back-to-back singles from Zachary Cook and Law put runners on for Brandon Wilson Jr., who drove them in with a two-run single to left.
While the visitors would peck away at the Loyola advantage with a run in both the sixth and seventh inning, the Pack held on for the 3-2 win.
In game two, Lindenwood-Belleville were first to strike in the run column as they got to Gary Cavallo Jr. for two in the third inning. After adding a third run in the fourth, the Wolf Pack drew the game even on a big three-run sixth. A leadoff walk from Dennis and ensuing single through the gap at shortstop by Wilson began the inning for the home team, with Dennis coming around to eventually score on a passed ball.
Another passed ball from the Lynx allowed Wilson to cross home plate, before Gabriel Trastoy tied it up on a single up the middle to score Charlie Seiter. After Wyatt Lankford capped off a dominating three innings with a clean sheet in the top of the seventh, it was up to Loyola to claim the victory in the bottom of the final frame.
Leading off was freshman Patrick Chen See, who drew one of three walks in the inning to put Loyola in business. After Chen See claimed second on a steal, Dennis was gifted first with an intentional pass with Wilson loading the bases on a fantastic bunt single. With the game on the line, Seiter drew the game-winning walk to end it and start Loyola's 2019 season with a pair of victories.
The final game of the series will be tomorrow, February 9, beginning at 1 p.m. at Segnette Field.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Doug Faust
"Besides walks, I thought our pitchers threw really well tonight. In the first game, A.J. was really good, he just threw too many walks, but he didn't get hit hard at all. Brenden did a great job of finishing it for us in the last inning."
"Second game, pitching-wise, Gary had the same thing, too many walks, a couple of errors behind him hurt us. But he kept us there, and Wyatt did a great job in three innings."
"I thought that the pitching staff did a really good job of keeping us in it, and we found a way offensively to score just enough, whether it be patience with the kids drawing walks or Gabe with his two-out hit. Like I told the guys after the game, that was big for us, because last year so many times we would've found a way to lose both games. Tonight, we were the ones who were more under control, and we won two close games, so we're proud of them for starting the season that way."
Pack Facts
Loyola has now begun the season with two consecutive wins for four straight years.
After ending last year with a dominating performance in the SSAC Championship, A.J. Smith picked up right where he left off, tossing five innings of no-run ball, allowing a single hit en route to the win.
Brandon Wilson Jr. began his junior season with a 4-7 day, scoring one run and driving in two.
After stealing 98 bases in 2018, the Pack ran wild on the base paths today, swiping seven bags.
Wyatt Lankford earned the game-two win after throwing three innings to close it out, allowing just one hit and 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.
