Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 AUBURNDALE, Fla. - The University of Dubuque baseball team split their opening games of the Russmatt Central Florida Invitational on Sunday to start their spring break trip. The Spartans defeated Carthage 8-7 in game one, but fell to Alma College in game two by a final of 3-5. 

Game 1 (Won, 8-7)
Game one recap to come once game file is recorded. 

Game 2 (Loss, 3-5)
The Spartans and Alma went the first four innings without scoring a run as starting pitcher for the Spartans, Johnny Blake struck out four while allowing three hits halfway through the ball game. The first runs were by Alma in the bottom of the fifth inning as Alma had two runners on base and proceeded to hit a triple scoring two. The next batter would strike out, but off a wild pitch sending in another run.

Still trailing by three runs in the top of the eighth inning, the Spartans finally got on the board with a Daniel Maller double and then Kyle Radi reached on a fielder's choice to score a run to cut the deficit to one run. Continuing his stellar start, Colin Husko singled through the right side to tie the game at 3-3. Alma would score twice more in the bottom of the eighth to retake the lead. After a leadoff single by the Spartans in the top of the ninth, they wouldn't be able to rally in the end falling 3-5. 

Ixander Colon went 2-5 at the plate to lead the Spartans in hits. Husko, Maller, and Radi all had a RBI. Blake started the game on the mound finishing with seven strikeouts. Shae Buskohl and Maguire Fitzgerald finished in relief with Fitzgerald receiving the loss (1-1). 

The Spartans are now 4-1 overall on the season. 

Up Next
The Spartans will have another double-header tomorrow as they take on Alma again at 9:00 a.m. (CT) and Grove City College at 12:30 p.m. (CT).