CHICAGO, Ill. – The University of Dubuque baseball team scored five runs in the eighth inning for a 7-6 comeback victory over North Park University on Friday afternoon.
The Spartans opened the scoring in the first when Will Sullivan drove a fly ball down the left field line, scoring Ryan Turner on a sacrifice fly. North Park tied the game in the bottom of the first and took a 3-1 lead on two solo home runs in the second. North Park threatened again in the fourth inning but with the bases loaded, Logan White induced a fly ball to center field, which Justin Potts caught and fired a throw to the plate, nabbing a would-be run on an 8-2 double play. The next half, Potts massacred a pitch to right field for his first career home run, cutting the deficit to one. In the seventh inning, North Park hitters put together a two-out rally with a double and a home run, stretching their lead to 6-2. The Spartans stormed back in the eighth inning, plating five runs. The rally was driven by doubles from Vic Pico and Turner and walks from Sullivan and Brady Buchmann, who came in to pinch hit. Harris reached on a throwing error from the shortstop, scoring two more runs. Harris scored on a single by Tanner Simmons which ricocheted off the foot of the pitcher into right field, giving the Spartans a 7-6 advantage. Matthew Risser worked through a clean eighth inning and stranded bases loaded in the ninth, giving the Spartans a statement comeback victory.
The Spartans finished with six hits on Friday, two of which were from Turner. Esser and Sullivan both walked twice as well. Pico and Turner both had doubles while Potts' lone hit was a home run.
Jaden Marcus started on the mound for the Spartans, tossing two innings and allowing three runs on four hits while walking and striking out two. White posted his best career appearance, throwing five innings of three-run ball, allowing six hits and striking out four. Risser allowed two hits across two scoreless innings and collected the win while fanning two.
Up Next
North Park will travel to Dubuque tomorrow to complete the two-game set. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
