UW-Stout 18, UW-La Crosse 2 |
UW-La Crosse 7, UW-Stout 4
LA CROSSE (April 23, 2017) - The UW-Stout bats were as warm as the very nice spring day today at Copeland Park in La Crosse. The Blue Devils erupted for 21 hits in an 18-2 opening game win over UW-La Crosse, then belted out 11 hits in a 7-4 loss to Eagles Sunday.
Ten Blue Devils (7-20, 4-8 WIAC) recorded at least one hit and scored at least one run as Stout found their offense in a big way, crushing the Eagles 18-2 in an offensive show that hasn't been seen for several years.
The Blue Devils pounded out 21 hits, the most since Stout had 23 hits in a 15-14, 10-inning WIAC playoff loss to UW-Whitewater, May 9, 2014. The 18 runs scored was the most by a Stout team since the Blue Devils defeated Dordt College, 18-11 in 7 innings March 11, 2012 at the Metrodome.
The game didn't look like a blowout early as Stout built up a steady lead after the Eagles (16-13, 5-7 WIAC) opened the scoring with a single run in the first inning. The Blue Devils matched that in the second inning to tie the game, then broke out for three runs in the third for a 4-1 lead. From then on, Stout would score in every inning, with the exception of the seventh inning, and completely shattered any Eagle pitching with an eight run ninth inning to take an 18-1 lead.
Noah Brown and
Derek Graves each had huge games at the plate. Brown went 4-for-6 with five RBI, including a three-run home run in the third to give Stout a lead they would not come even close to relinquishing. Brown also drove in runs in the fourth and the sixth innings.
Graves, listed as a pitcher, has played several stints as the designated hitter and looks like he will get a few more if he keeps up his pace. The senior was 3-for-6 with four RBI, driving in two runs in the eighth on a single and two move in the eight-run ninth on a single to center field.
Not to be outdone,
Ben Vanhove collected a collegiate-best five RBI, driving in single runs in the second – to put Stout on the board – and in the fifth. Vanhove stroked bases loaded three-run single down the left field line in the ninth.
Jack Hemsath had a collegiate career day, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Jordan Wilson was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI.
Tyler Christensen went eight innings, striking out two and scattering five hits, for the win.
Brandon Bohl finished the game, striking out two.
While the Blue Devils pounded out 11 hits, with the exception of the fourth inning, they could not string enough together.
La Crosse opened with a run in the first inning, but Stout took the lead with a three-run outburst in the fourth inning. Hemsath walked to open the inning, then moved to third on Brown's double. Hollow launched a three-run home run to left field and a 3-1 lead. Stout stretched the lead to 4-1 in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by
Matt Emmer.
La Crosse cut the lead to one run, 4-3, on an RBI single by Nate Pescheck and a sacrifice fly by Nate Heili in the fifth and the Eagles took the lead with two runs in the sixth on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Nate Heili. La Crosse stretched the lead with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
Hollow was 2-for-5 with three RBI. Emmer, Hemsath and Graves each finished with two hits. Heili and Pescheck each had three hits, with Pescheck driving in two runs.
The Blue Devils hurt their own cause with four errors after committing none in the first game.
On the day, Hemsath was 6-for-9 with three doubles. Brown and Graves were both 5-for-10 with Brown driving in five runs and Graves four runs. Vanhove was 3-for-6 with five RBI.
Stout jumps out of conference play this week, hosting Northland College, Wednesday, April 26 at 1 p.m. The Blue Devils are scheduled to close out the home portion of the season when they host UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30.
