WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The University of Dubuque baseball team picked up their first win of the season with a doubleheader split against Saint Vincent College. The Bearcats took game one 4-1, while the Spartans cruised to a 12-2 victory in game two.

Game One

Alex Esser collected the first hit of the game for the Spartans in the first inning of game one but was ultimately stranded there. The first two innings were relatively quiet until Esser scored on a passed ball in the third, giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead. The Bearcats tied the game up in the bottom of the third and added three more on free passes in the fifth. Two late rallies fell short as the Spartans dropped game one 4-1.

Esser tallied two hits during the contest to lead the Spartans. He also scored the lone run in addition to handling the catching duties. Tanner Simmons was tagged with the loss in game one despite throwing four strong innings. Simmons allowed two hits and three earned runs in his first collegiate start. Dominic Pelizza helped the Spartans escape a jam, throwing 1.2 innings and striking out three.

Game Two

Invigorated by the loss, the Spartans plated four in the first inning of game two thanks to a bunt single from Ashr Harris, a triple by Vic Pico, and a single by George Sherlock. The Bearcats' pitchers lost command in the second, issuing four five free passes. A single from Logan Cadenhead and a sacrifice fly from Zavion Ingram led to an 8-0 lead after two innings. Esser crushed his first collegiate home run an inning later, extending the lead to nine. The Spartans and Bearcats traded runs for the final couple of frames, and Colton Karczewski tossed the final two innings for the Spartans as they won 12-2.

Harris finished with two hits and scored three times for the Spartans while also stealing three bases. Esser scored three times after being plunked twice and notching his first career long ball. Ingram notched a hit and stole two bases, scoring once. Pico led the Spartans with three runs batted in on a triple and a walk. On the mound, Angel Reyes threw five innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits while walking one and striking out five. Thomas Koettker notched his first collegiate hit in the contest.

Up Next

The Spartans have a quick turnaround as they face another Presidents Athletic Conference foe in Allegheny College on Monday morning at 9:15 a.m.