The Wolf Pack score 19 runs between the two seven-inning games to lock up a winning record at home
WESTWEGO, La. – In their final home game of the 2019 season, the Loyola University New Orleans baseball team claimed a pair of games with Tougaloo College, defeating them 12-0 in game one and 7-5 in game two Tuesday afternoon at Segnette Field.
In the second inning of game one, the Wolf Pack (21-27) offense exploded for nine runs, beginning with a leadoff triple from Allen Dennis. Later in the inning, with Jesse Jordan and Brandon Wilson Jr. on, Dennis connected on a 1-1 pitch and sent it towering over the left field fence to make it an 8-0 game. Back-to-back doubles by Michael Toscano and Luke LaCoste plated their final run of the inning.
Loyola's bats were not done yet, adding three more runs in the following inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Toscano to set the score at 12-0 in favor of the Pack. The home team's pitching staff would keep the visiting Bulldogs (6-27) out of the scoring column for the remainder of the contest, as Lawrence Frishberg and Brenden Taravella combined to allow just two hits while striking out seven batters.
In the second game, Tougaloo took the lead early as they plated three in the top of the opening frame. After falling behind 4-0, Dennis stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning with runners at each base, promptly unloading them with a grand slam to draw the game even.
After Patrick Crifasi reached base on a bunt-single and later stole third base, he was brought in on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Dennis to give the Wolf Pack the lead. Loyola added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth with Tougaloo plating one in the seventh, but the scoreboard would read 7-5 in favor of the Pack.
The Wolf Pack hit the road this weekend and travel to Alabama, where they face Mobile in a three-game series beginning Friday, April 19 at 5 p.m..
Wolf Pack Head Coach Doug Faust
"All in all, it was a good doubleheader. In the first game, Larry threw really well for us and Brenden was good in relief. We played good defensively, had big hits, and they helped us a little bit, and we took advantage and kind of blew the game open."
"In the second game, we knew they would be more competitive. They jumped up 4-0, but we kept our composure really well, put an inning together, and one big swing from Allen and we're tied up again. From that point on, I thought we kind of took control. I'm proud of these guys, the way that they've grown in their composure, and handling situations like in the last inning with Trace. Even though things went haywire a little bit, we still felt as a team that we were in good shape, and we made pitches and got out of it."
"It was a good way to finish the home season, seniors win their last two games on the field, and now we're going to play two conference series and try to win some games on the road."
Pack Facts
Allen Dennis had a monster day at the plate today, going a combined 3-5 with three runs scored, eight RBI, a triple and two home runs, one of which was a grand slam.
The sophomore is now tied with Alexander Lorenzo for the fourth-most home runs in a career at Loyola, with 17.
Lawrence Frishberg shut down the Bulldogs in game one for a career-best five innings, allowing just two hits, no runs and striking out four.
The reigning SSAC pitcher of the week, Michael Toscano got it done at the plate today, going 2-2 in game one with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and two RBI.
The sophomore now owns a .394 batting average, which leads the team.
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.
