Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  / Game 1 Box Score (pdf) | Game 2 Box Score (pdf)

Indianapolis, Ind. – The Lewis University baseball team collected a game one, 6-5, victory over the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds on Saturday (April 5), but couldn't extend their winning ways, falling in game two, 10-3, at Greyhound Park.
 
The Flyers fall to 15-12 on the year and 9-6 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action while the Greyhounds move to 15-14 on the season and 10-6 in the league.
 
"Game one was a hard-fought win," Lewis head baseball coach Tim McDonough said. "We took advantage of some of their mistakes and had some timely hitting.
 
"In the second game, we just didn't match their intensity, focus and energy."
 
Heading into the top of the seventh tied at 1-all in the first game, Lewis senior Jake Murray (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) led off with a double to right center. The Flyers loaded the bases after sophomore Austin Mastela (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport) reached on an Indianapolis error and Joe Sparacio (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Cale Robinson (Weldon, Ill./Clinton) hit a sacrifice fly to score Murray, while junior Mark Kornacker (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) reached on another Greyhound error before a walk by sophomore Joel Rotkvich (Crestwood, Ill./St. Laurence) forced in Mastela.

Senior Alex Slaby (Davenport, Iowa/Davenport West) reached on a fielders choice as the Greyhounds tried to turn the double play but Indianapolis' third baseman picked up a throwing error which allowed Sparacio and Kornacker to score and Rotkvich to head to third. Senior Drew Buddle (Bartlett, Ill./South Elgin) hit a single to right field to score Rotkvich for the Flyers fifth run of the inning, going up 6-1. 

The Greyhounds answered with four runs in the bottom of the seventh on three hits, two walks and one hit batter, but their rally fell short. 

Lewis starer Eann Cox (Erie, Ill./Erie) tossed six innings to pick up the win. Cox (4-3) gave up three earned runs on five hits, while striking out four and walking five. Sophomore reliever Nick Davito (Crest Hill, Ill./Lockport) collected his second save of the season, giving up two runs on four hits and striking out one batter.

Indianapolis' Matthew Kaplanis (2-3) took the loss after throwing 6.2 innings, giving up six runs, two earned, while striking out two and walking one. 

In the second game of the twin bill, the Greyhounds had a big second inning, posting five runs on six hits and one Flyer miscue. 

Lewis scored a run in the top of the third, as Buddle singled in Slaby from second, but Indianapolis tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the frame to go up 7-1. 

The Greyhounds added two runs in the fifth and another run in the sixth to take a 10-1 advantage. 

The Flyers threatened in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with one out as Murray headed to the plate. Murray singled in senior Marshall Escue (Washington, Ill./Washington Community), who led off the inning with a single to center. Rotkvich crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to right field by senior Ben Albano (West Dundee, Ill./Jacobs) to cut into the Greyhounds lead, 10-3.

Lewis starter Kendall Paluch (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic) took the loss, giving up seven runs, three earned, over three innings of work. Paluch (1-5) also struck out two.

The Greyhounds starter Jordan Tackett picked up the win, giving up three runs, two earned, in 6.1 innings of work. Tackett (3-3) also struck out four and walked two.

The Flyers and Greyhounds return to Greyhound Park for two more games on Sunday (April 6). First pitch is set for 12 PM ET. 




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