Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 The Loyola Wolf Pack has now won 15 of their last 16 games to help start SSAC play 10-1
WESTWEGO – The Loyola Wolf Pack continued their dominance through the Southern States Athletic Conference schedule Friday, sweeping Friday's doubleheader against Brewton-Parker College to win their sixth straight series and their fourth straight SSAC series. Loyola earned an extra-inning 6-5 win in Game 1 before ending the day by beating BPC 5-2 in Game 2.
No. 22 Loyola is now 25-9 overall and 10-1 in SSAC play, and the two teams are set for Saturday's series finale at noon on Saturday.
Game 1: No. 22 Loyola 6, Brewton-Parker 5 (9)
In what was supposed to be a seven-inning game, the Wolf Pack needed another walk-off to win the series opener over the Barons to start Friday's doubleheader. In the ninth inning, Patrick Crifasi sent a pitch to the left side of the infield and off the shortstop's outstretched glove, and pinch-runner Landon Trosclair scored the game-winning run from second base after seeing the ball get away from the BPC infielder.
The late-inning heroics were set up by four straight runs by the Barons after Loyola grabbed a 5-1 lead through four innings. Brewton-Parker scored its first run of the game in the third inning, then a three-spot on the scoreboard in the fifth frame cut Loyola's lead to 5-4. The Barons tied the game in the seventh after Wes Anderson hit the first batter he faced out of the bullpen, sending the game to extra innings.
Anderson got his redemption, though, shutting out BPC in the eighth and ninth innings to earn the win in relief. He struck out three and allowed three hits in his 2.1 innings of work.
Loyola started the game with three runs in the first inning, using three hits and an error to plate the runs. Payton Alexander started the rally with a one-out single before Michael Calamari doubled during the next at-bat to score the first run. Kason Cullins singled to score Calamari and Peyton Lacoste, who walked earlier in the frame, came home on the Barons' error.
Brandon Duhon led off the second inning with a walk, then moved to second when Crifasi was hit by a pitch. After a double steal put two in scoring position, Calamari's sacrifice fly put the Wolf Pack 4-0. An Allen Dennis RBI single scored Alexander in the fourth inning, extending the lead to 5-1.
Game 2: No. 22 Loyola 5, Brewton-Parker 2
Loyola started Game 2 in a similar fashion to the opening game, scoring three runs in the first inning. All three runs scored on a deep home run from Lacoste to center field, after Calamari and Dennis got on base with a single and a walk.
Stephen Still got the start on the mound, only giving up one hit through the first three innings. Still struck out four batters and allowed five hits in his 5.1 innings of work to earn the win. Then once again, the Barons inched their way back into the contest, hitting homers in back-to-back innings. The Wolf Pack held on to a small lead, 3-2, at the end of five innings.
In the bottom of the sixth, however, the bats came alive for the home squad. Lacoste led off the frame with a double to deep left field, later being driven home by a single from Christopher Bohrer. The Wolf Pack loaded the bases, adding another run by Kason Cullins after Payton Alexander was hit by a pitch. Brett Fisackerly came in at the top of the sixth, recording the final five outs without letting up a hit to earn the save.
On another series win:
"We really couldn't have played much worse in the first game defensively, but I thought our bullpen arms and offensively we didn't panic. We just went pitch to pitch and kept playing the game, and as long as we continue to do that, we give ourselves a chance to win late. It was ugly, but we got it done, and there's something to be said about getting it done."
On the bullpen:
"Matt (Champagne) did a really good job. He was throwing hard, he was throwing strikes and he threw his breaking ball for strikes when he needed to. He looked really, really good and he did a great job. Wes maybe wasn't as sharp as he has been his last few outings, but he went pitch to pitch and he didn't let some adversity affect him. He wasn't perfect, but he stuck with it and got some big outs in really tough spots. He gave our offense a chance to get it done. (Brett Fisackerly) did what he usually does. He came in, threw strikes and competed. He did that and he got the job done.
"(Game 2 starter) Stephen (Still) did a good job, too. He left a couple of pitches up and gave up solos, which he'll learn from. Overall, he competed and did a good job."
On Chris Bohrer:
"Chris had a huge pinch-hit there, and he hasn't had an opportunity to swing it in a little while. He's done a great job in BPs and practice, so I felt confident in putting him in right there. He squared a ball up off a really good pitcher."
On Game 2's first inning:
"I think, offensively, the other thing that made the night was the first inning. We had quality at-bats against a guy throwing hard, as hard as we've seen all year, and Calamari squares one up the middle. That kind of sets the tone for two at-bats later for Peyton Lacoste, who sends one 420 feet. That's really the story of the game was that first inning, and getting on time with that fastball and doing some damage with it."
Pack Facts
This is just the second time that Loyola has reached double-digit conference wins since joining the SSAC in 2010.
Loyola has now won four games in walk-off fashion at Segnette Field this season.
Brandon Duhon stole two bases in Game 2, giving him 20 this year. He's now tied with Payton Alexander's 2020 campaign for ninth-most in a single season at Loyola.
With two hits in Game 1 and a walk in Game 2, Allen Dennis extended his on-base streak to 26 games.
Tucker Ganley also extended his on-base streak after drawing a walk in Game 2. He's now reached base in 21 consecutive games.
Peyton Lacoste logged his 10th multi-hit game and his fifth multi-RBI game of the season. He's had two games this year where he's driven in at least three runs.
You can keep up with the Pack by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.
