DUBUQUE, Iowa - A cold and windy afternoon made way for a home doubleheader at Dan W. Runkle Field, as the University of Dubuque Spartans took on crosstown rival Loras College Duhawks. The Spartans lost game one 8-3 and forced extra innings in the second game but were unable to hold off the Duhawks as the Spartans were defeated 7-6.

In game one, the Duhawks scored the first eight runs of the game as they led 8-0 midway through the sixth inning. Only one of those runs was earned as the Spartans committed costly errors that allowed the Duhawks to take advantage. Through five innings of play, the Spartans collected four hits but could not piece together consecutive hits as the runners were left stranded. The Spartans broke through the score column in the sixth as they platted two runs on five hits. Patrick Rafferty got the rally started as he doubled into left field. Next up Jake Cekander drove in Rafferty as he sent the ball down the left field line for an RBI double. The Spartans second run of the game came off the bat of Colton Pfeifer as he lined the ball through the middle for an RBI single. With the bases loaded and one out the Spartans had a chance to cut into the Duhawks lead, but Colin Husko hit into a double play to end the inning. In the seventh, the Spartans would tack on one more run as they would eventually fall 8-3.

The Spartans out hit the Duhawks by one but could not muster enough offense. Husko, Brandon Watkins, and Joe Unger each had two hits while six other Spartans recorded a hit. Edward Rosas got the start for the Spartans as he tossed five and two thirds innings in the loss. Rosas gave up eight hits, one earned run, and struck out three. Freshman, Christian Battista finished the remainder of the game on the mound. Battista fanned three batters as he only allowed three hits through three and a third innings.

Once again the Duhawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead as they platted a run in the second and two in the fourth through four innings of play. Early on the Duhawks pitching kept the Spartans bats at bay as the Spartans only had one hit through the first four innings. The Spartans scored their first run of the game as Colton Pfeifer hit an RBI double in the fifth. In the next inning, the Duhawks would score a run but the Spartans responded with three of their own tying the game at 4-4. Brandon Watkins singled through the left side with the bases loaded bringing in two runs. A few batters later, Rafferty hit a sacrifice fly to even the score. The Duhawks regained the lead in the seventh off a solo homerun as the Spartans trailed 5-4. With two outs in the eighth, the Spartans used a late rally to capture their first lead of the series. With runners on first and second, Parker Allen lined a bases clearing double down the left field line driving in two runs to take the lead 6-5.

Down to their last three outs, the Duhawks would score a run in the ninth to force extra innings. Neither team found any offense until the 12th inning as the Duhawks managed to plate a run taking a 7-6 lead. In the bottom of the inning, the Spartans had a chance as Hunter Hicks doubled off the base of the wall in left field but was left stranded as the Spartans lost 7-6. 

The Spartans tallied 10 hits as Husko, Pfeifer, and Hicks each had two hits. Anthony Scanlon was on the mound to begin as he pitched six innings as he gave up 10 hits, three earned runs, and struck out four. Derek Hardin made an appearance in the sixth as he went deep tossing the last sixth innings. Hardin would earn the loss as he allowed six hits, three earned runs, and also struck out four. 

Up Next
The Spartans will have a day off before they hit the road as they travel to Cedar Rapids for a three game series against Coe College this weekend. The first game is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 7.