PELLA, Iowa - The University of Dubuque Spartans baseball team squared off against the Central Dutch in a mid-week double header on the road. The Spartans were able to sweep the Dutch as they won a close first game 3-2 and then unleashed the bats in the second game as they won 15-5. 

After a scoreless first inning, the Spartans jumped on the scoreboard in the second. With a runner on first and two outs Colton Pfeifer hit an RBI double into left field. The Spartans were able to tack on another run in the third off the bat of Bo Karlson as he doubled into right center to take a 2-0 lead. On the mound for the Spartans was Edward Rosas. Through six innings of work Rosas kept the Dutch bats at bay as he only allowed two hits, no earned runs, and stroke out four. Anthony Scanlon came in relief in the bottom of the seventh. Due to an error in the eighth, the Dutch were able to even the game at 2-2. Heading into the top of the ninth, the Spartans had the top of their lineup due up. Parker Allen drew a walk and advanced to second from a sacrifice bunt by Colin Husko. The Spartans broke the tie as Cole DeStefanis brought in the game winning run as he laced the ball up the middle for an RBI single. The Dutch did not go down without a fight as they had the tying run on third and the game winning run on second with only one out. Scanlon was able to pull out the win as he got a strike out and then ended the game with a fly out to center field.  

The Spartans tallied eight hits in game one with two players collecting multiple hits. Cole DeStefanis went 3-5 with an RBI and Jake Cekander went 2-4 at the plate. Anthony Scanlon collected his first win of the year as he tossed three innings in relief while striking out three.

In game two the Spartans quickly jumped on the Dutch plating 13 runs in the first three innings. Parker Allen scored the first run of the game after Aidan Elfering watched ball four with the bases loaded. Up next, Kyle Radi cleared the bases as he launched a grand slam into left field taking a 5-0 lead after the top half of the first. Once again, Radi was up to bat in the second as he hit his second homerun of the game, this time a three run shot extending the lead to 9-0. The Spartans plated four more runs in the third thanks to a 2 RBI single off the bat of Hunter Hicks followed by Radi with an RBI single. Later in the seventh the Spartans were able to add on two more runs and take game two with a convincing 15-5 victory. Patrick Rafferty got his second win of the season as he threw six innings allowing eight hits, four runs, and struck out two. Noah Zoglman recorded the last three outs as he pitched one inning allowing one hit and one run. 

The Spartans had five players with multiple hits. Cole DeStefanis continued to swing a hot bat as he went 4-4 with three singles and a double. Kye Radi shined in his performance at the plate going 3-5 with two home runs and 9 RBIs. Parker Allen, Hunter Hicks, and Brandon Watkins each went 2-4 in game two. In total the Spartans racked up 15 runs on 16 hits. 

Up Next
The Spartans will hit the road again as they travel west to face the Prairiewolves of Nebraska Wesleyan for a three game slate. The first game is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31.