DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque hosted Luther College for the opening game of Cancer Awareness Weekend on Friday afternoon. In a back-and-forth affair, the Spartans defeated the Norse 9-8.
Luther's first two hitters reached base in the first inning and one run later scored on a groundout. Luther plated another run in the second inning to extend their lead to 2-0. Logan Cadenhead started the second inning with a single to left field. Jack Richards squared to bunt one pitch later and tapped the ball back to the pitcher, who missed the second baseman badly and allowed Cadenhead to score. Vic Pico laid a bunt down immediately after, and Luther committed another error, bringing home Richards. The Norse (13-6, 3-2 A-R-C) retook the lead in the third inning on a sacrifice fly and held that lead until the fourth inning. The Spartans (6-10, 3-1 A-R-C) plated three in the home half of the fourth inning despite not registering a hit, instead scoring on an error, hit batter, and sacrifice fly. Luther cut their deficit to 6-5 in the fifth inning, but Zavion Ingram slapped an 0-2 pitch into center field to score Ashr Harris an inning later and extend the lead to two. The Norse's cleanup man cleared the fence in the sixth inning and tied the game on a fielder's choice an inning later and the Spartans found themselves tied at seven in the seventh inning. Pico drove in Cadenhead for the go-ahead score and Sullivan worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home a crucial insurance run, giving the Spartans a 9-8 lead. Luther's nine-hole hitter crushed a ball to start the visitor's ninth inning, but Pico entered the game and escaped a jam, collecting the save and securing a 9-8 victory for the Spartans.
Both teams combined for nine hit batters and eight errors in a sloppy series opener. Only ten of the 17 runs scored were charged as earned runs. Cadenhead finished as the only Spartan with multiple hits, with Ingram, Harris, Pico, and Ryan Turner all collecting hits. Alex Esser handled the catching duties, not allowing a passed ball while walking once and getting hit three separate times.
Angel Reyes started on the mound for the Spartans. He tossed the first four innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs while walking four and fanning five. Dominic Pelizza pitched a marvelous 4.2 innings in relief, allowing five hits and two earned runs while walking three, striking out six, and initiating a crucial inning-ending double play to strand three Norse. Pelizza was charged with the win for his performance. Pico entered the game for the final out and was credited with the save.
Up Next
The Spartans return to action tomorrow for the final two games of the three-game set against the Norse. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. with a special ceremony for Cancer Awareness Weekend slated for between games.
