FORT MYERS, FLA. – Day 2 of the annual Spring Training trip to the Gene Cusic Classic saw the Blue Devils pick up a pair of wins.
In game 1 of the double header,
Jack Schirpke led the way, driving in five runs on three hits, including a first inning grand slam to deep right field. The Blue Devils jumped out to an early 9-0 lead after scoring five runs in the first and four runs in the second inning.
Justin Sedin hit his first home run in the second inning.
Nolan Harke,
Levi Wilson,
Vinnie Fonti,
Drew Ries and
Ryan Herbst all picked up an RBI in the win.
Quintin Gonzalez earned the win, throwing five innings of one run ball, striking out three. Lucas Kallod threw two innings in relief to help secure the 11-1 win.
In game 2 of the double header, the Blue Devils jumped out to another early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning.
Jacoby Endreas lined to left centerfield, scoring
Riley Boushack.
Parker Hagebock would then fly out to the second baseman with the bases loaded on a controversial call, leading to a Sedin run.
The Western Connecticut Wolves would tie the game in the bottom of the first before Boushack would give the Blue Devils the lead back in the top of the second on a hard line drive to center field, scoring
Colin Hageman.
In the top of the third inning, the Blue Devils would extend their lead to 5-2 on a sacrifice fly by
Justin Schnell and a bases loaded walk. The Wolves would answer would two of their own runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, to cut the lead to 5-4.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the sixth inning, the game was postponed for nearly two hours due to rain and lightning.
Following the delay, Endreas stepped up to the plate and lined to left field to extend the lead. Hagebock would follow with a hard single to center field, scoring two and extending the lead to 8-4. The Wolves would score three in the bottom of the sixth, cutting the lead again to one run, 8-7.
After the Blue Devils failed to score in the top of the seventh inning, newcomer Zack Petersen would come in and shut the door for his first save of the season.
Nathan Weckop started the game for the Blue Devils, allowing eights hits and four runs in four innings of work. Brock Berg pitched an inning and a third of no hit baseball prior to the delay.
Dak Doyle followed up after the delay, giving up three runs on five hits.
The Blue Devils are back in action on Tuesday with another double header, beginning at 8 a.m., against Defiance College.
