The Observer, April 21, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25
Offensive burst produces first Spartan victory at Jacobs Field
click to enlarge
In typical Case baseball fashion, the Spartans made things interesting but were able to pull out a 9-8 victory over Hiram College at Jacobs Field on Wednesday afternoon.
Case jumped out to a 9-2 lead after five innings behind a solid offensive effort.
Hiram got things started early in the game with two runs in the top of the first inning. A single, double, and sacrifice fly gave the Terriers their only lead of the game.
Case responded with three runs in the bottom of the first. With one out, sophomore third baseman Kevin Haley walked. After a fly out, senior first baseman Chris Sisson reached second on a fly ball error that allowed Haley to score. Sophomore Kevin Sudnik walked before senior shortstop Tim Koenig doubled to left field to give Case a 3-2 lead.
Case stepped up the offensive effort in the bottom of the third inning as Haley, senior center fielder Max Briggs, and Sisson singled to load the bases. Sudnik ripped a single up the middle to score Haley and Briggs. Koenig's bunt single loaded the bases again before senior second baseman Dan McNally was hit by a pitch to score Case's third and final run of the inning. After three innings, Case led 6-2.
Case's odd-numbered inning explosions continued in the bottom of the fifth inning. Koenig started the inning with a double down the left field line. Freshman right fielder Jonathan Fagert's infield single moved Koenig to third. McNally's bunt single on a squeeze play allowed Koenig to score and moved Fagert to second. Senior left fielder Josh Knipp's single to right center scored Fagert and moved McNally to third. Junior catcher Marshall Hampton walked to load the bases before Kevin Haley reached base on another fly ball error that allowed McNally to score. Things looked safe for the Spartans with a 9-2 lead heading into the sixth inning.
Junior pitcher John Thuermer faced his first true trouble of the afternoon in the top of the sixth inning. Four hits, including two doubles, and a fly out ended Thuermer's day. Freshman Joshua Sellke came in relief for Thuermer and struggled as well. In the sixth inning, Hiram scored six runs on six hits but stranded three runners on base, cutting Case's lead to 9-8.
Junior pitcher J.R. Doolos shut down the Terriers in the seventh and eighth inning before giving up a walk in the ninth inning. A pinch runner for Hiram reached second after a sacrifice bunt. Senior pitcher Rich Mullen then came in with one out and a runner in scoring position. A groundout moved the runner to third before Mullen struck out the final batter of the game to pick up his second save of the season.
The Spartans battle Thomas More College in a doubleheader on Saturday that begins at noon at Nobby's Ballpark. The Saints are 18-11 on the season. Case and Thomas More have played three common opponents. The Saints are 6-0 against Thiel, Lake Erie College, and La Roche College while the Spartans are 1-4 against those teams.
