MOLINE, Ill. – Two teams who are receiving votes in the latest Top 25 poll met on Tuesday night at Swanson Stadium/Brunner Field. The University of Dubuque Spartans baseball team played a non-conference contest before they open conference play this weekend. UD led early in the nine inning high scoring affair, but lost by a 6-12 final.
 
In the Spartans first at bats they plated two runs on four hits. Colin Husko led off the game with a single followed by another single from Jake Cekander. Catcher, Kyle Radi drove in the game's first run off an RBI double. JD Schaffer extended the lead with another RBI double as the Spartans jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. The Spartans were able to add another run in the third inning as Husko ripped an RBI double.

The Spartans surrendered their lead in the bottom half of the third inning as the Vikings rallied behind an eight run inning. The Vikings would tack on two more runs in the fourth and fifth inning as the Spartans trailed 12-3. With two outs in the sixth, the Spartans started to cut into the deficit as Cekander hit an RBI single. In the seventh inning, the Spartans loaded the bases and scored two runs off a Daniel Maller walk and a passed ball. Both teams were held scoreless in the final two innings of play.

The Spartans compiled 14 hits in which nine different players recorded a hit. Luke Burgos, Cekander, Husko, Radi, and Schaffer each had two hits. Maguire Fitzgerald suffered the loss on the mound as he tossed 2.2 innings, allowed seven earned runs on seven hits, and struck out one batter. Anthony Scanlon faced one batter and recorded a flyout. Patrick Rafferty pitched the final five innings and fanned six of the 23 Vikings batters faced and allowed three earned runs.

Up Next
The Spartans will start American Rivers Conference Action on Friday, March 22 as they travel to Luther College (RV) in Decorah, Iowa for a three game series. The single game on Friday is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch.