April 15, 2009

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Game One: Quincy 2, Lewis 1 in PDF Format

Game Two: Quincy 1, Lewis 0 (9 inn.) PDF Format

Romeoville, Ill. - The Lewis University pitching staff limited Quincy to just three runs over 16 innings in their doubleheader on Wednesday evening,.

Unfortunately for the Flyers, they only managed to score one run as the visiting Hawks picked up the 2-1, 1-0 (9 inn.) non-conference sweep at Brennan Field.

"We haven't been hitting much lately, but we have to keep swinging," Lewis University head baseball coach Tim McDonough said. "We've put ourselves in position to win, but just haven't been able to get over the hump during this rough stretch. Our pitchers deserve better. When you get outings like that, you're going to get more wins than losses."

McDonough, however, does not fault the effort of his squad.

"It's easy to press and make up for everything with one swing," McDonough said. "That's what makes this game so frustrating and great at the same time. We just have to focus at the task at hand."

With the sweep, Quincy improves to 20-17 on the campaign, while the Flyers fall to 15-21.

In game one, Quincy got on the board early, as Hawks' first baseman Mike Hallam drove in catcher Justin Dunning with a RBI single off of Lewis pitcher Joe Scumaci (Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence/Triton) in the first inning.

The Flyers answered quickly in the bottom half of the frame as senior catcher Chris McCall (River Forest, Ill./Oak Park-River Forest/College of DuPage) roped a solo homer, his second of the season, off of Quincy hurler Brian Lupa to even the score at 1-apiece.

The Lewis defense proved to be its downfall in the top of the seventh as the first two Quincy batters reached base on consecutive errors by Flyers' second baseman Ted Bartnik (Diamond, Ill./Coal City/Illinois Valley C.C.). Quincy right fielder Justin Ritchhart moved both runners over into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, while Hawks left fielder Brandon England drove in the winning run with a RBI single.

Lupa (1-0) earned the victory for the Hawks in the opener, allowing just one run on six hits, while fanning four batters. Quincy reliever Jared Fisher earned the save, pitching a scoreless seventh inning. Scumaci (4-3) was the tough luck loser for the Flyers, scattering six hits and striking out six batters, while only surrendering one earned run.

The nightcap was a pitcher's duel between Lewis starter Pat Lahey (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) and Quincy's Brett Zurliene as each tossed seven scoreless innings before turning the ball over to their respective bullpens.

Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth, setting the table for Quincy's go-ahead run in the ninth inning. Lewis reliever Drew Hicks (Pekin, Ill./Pekin) issued a one-out walk to Quincy shortstop Matt Scoggins, who would later steal second base, and be pinch ran for by Kory Coe. Hawks' left fielder Brandon England would plate Coe with the winning run with a RBI single.

Hicks (2-1) took the loss for the Flyers, allowing one run and two hits in 1.2 innings of work, while Quincy reliever Jordan Backes (3-2) won the game for the Hawks, tossing two innings of scoreless relief despite surrendering three hits and three walks.

Lewis is back in action on Saturday afternoon, as they travel to Highland Heights, Kentucky to square off with Northern Kentucky for a GLVC doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.

A Catholic University sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis offers nearly 80 undergraduate majors and programs of study, accelerated degree completion options for working adults, various aviation programs and 22 graduate programs in nine fields. The mid-sized university is being honored for the fifth consecutive year by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. For more information please visit www.lewisu.edu.

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