April 26, 2008

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

GREELEY, Colo. - On a day that started dark and stormy and the teams were not even sure they would be able to take the field, the Northern Colorado baseball team battled back from a loss in the first game of a doubleheader, 12-5 to win game two 10-1 against Dallas Baptist. With the split, Northern Colorado is now 15-28 on the year, while Dallas Baptist is 29-12.

The sun broke out midway through the first game and the squads had to contend with high winds all day, but that didn't stop the bats by either team.

In the first game, starting right-handed pitcher Chris Reap walked the first two Patriots of the game, but stranded one after Reap got Andrew Pirtle to hit into a 4-6-3 double play with one out. He retired the side in the second and with one out gave up a single to Clay Kelly but senior catcher Erik Whinery and shortstop Cory Morales caught him trying to steal second.

The Bears got two runs in the bottom of the third inning for the 2-0 lead. Phil Santucci reached on an error and moved to second on a walk by Andy Mees. Both scored on a double down the left field line by Chad Murray.

Mike Raudenbush led off the fourth innings with a walk, moved to second on a Whinery walk, was sacrificed to third on a bunt down the third base line by T.J. Berge and scored on a groundout by Santucci.

Dallas Baptist got two runs back in the top of the fifth and added two in the seventh before exploding for eight runs on six hits in the eighth.

The Bears tried to rally in the ninth. With one out, junior Kevin Sandberg drew a walk and scored when Erik Hegstad tripled to right center. Hegstad scored on the next batter on a ground out by Raudenbush, but no more crossed the plate and the Bears fell 12-5.

Reap received the loss after giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits, walking six and striking out three in seven innings of work. Cody Henry faced four batters but was not able to record an out, giving up four runs on two hits with two walks and Eric Skufca finished the game throwing two innings also allowing four runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out two. DBU starter Victor Black got his first win of the year to move to 1-3.

The momentum of scoring two in the ninth carried over to the second game as Northern Colorado scored eight in the first frame for the 8-1 advantage.

The Bears got just three hits in the inning, but took advantage of five walks issued and two DBU errors. NC added one run in the second and one in the sixth for its 10 runs and senior left-handed hurler Jon Klausing shut down the potent offense of the Patriots.

Klausing threw a complete game (seven innings) to get his second win of the season (2-4). He never allowed more than three hits in an inning and struck out seven, walking just two.

His offense helped as all nine batters reached base safely at least once and leadoff batter Andy Mees reached base all four times on walks for no official at bats in the game.

The Bears get a minimum amount of rest as they host BYU in a two-game series beginning on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on both Monday and Tuesday.