Spartans Sweep Rose-Hulman in Key HCAC Showdown
Kody Smith
The Manchester University baseball squad fought the bitter, cold weather on Sunday, April 8 in route to a double-header sweep over HCAC foes, Rose-Hulman. MU shutout the Fightin’ Engineers in game one, taking a decisive 4-0 victory. In game two, the Spartans tallied four runs once again, clinching to a 4-3 win to earn the Sunday sweep.
Game one was capped off by a brilliant pitching performance by senior Brandon Eck. Eck threw a complete game gem, which allowed only five hits and two walks through his nine grueling innings of work on the mound. The senior is now 3-2 in the 2018 campaign, and is looking to be a key component to the MU pitching staff as the season progresses.
The offense got the job done at the plate as well, as four runs on eight hits concluded the contest. Junior catcher Matt Pritz was 1-4 at the dish along with two runs batted in, which included an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior Tyler LaFollette was 1-3 in game one, including a triple and an RBI. This performance by MU catapulted the team to a game two with every drop of momentum on their side.
Another great starting pitching performance and ten hits on the offensive side led the Spartans to a 4-3 win to lead to a sweep of Rose-Hulman. Senior Taylor Kopplin continued his impressive 2018 campaign, as he pitched eight quality innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out six batters. Kopplin is now 4-1 on the year. Junior John Magers secured his second save out of the bullpen on Sunday, relieving Kopplin in the ninth inning. Magers struck out one hitter to close out the ninth inning of play.
On the offensive side of the baseball, sophomore Nick Rush powered the squad, drilling a solo homerun in the bottom of the sixth inning. Pritz put together another solid offensive performance at the plate, going 2-4 with a pair of runs batted in. Junior Christian Smith was 2-4 as well, which included a double.
The Spartans return home to Gratz Field on Saturday, April 14 with another HCAC showdown, this time with the Franklin College Grizzles. MU hosts the conference opponent for two games on Saturday, with game one slated for a 12:00 first pitch.