Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)
VERONA, Wis. - Now that the monkey is off their back, the Edgewood College baseball team is getting used to this whole sweeping doubleheaders business. The Eagles returned home on Sunday and took a pair of games from MSOE 13-10 and 9-3 to run their win streak to four games and complete a 5-1 week.
Much like last Thursday's home game against Benedictine, Edgewood College (17-9, 8-4 NAC) fell behind in a the first game thanks to a first inning home run. This time, it was MSOE's Michael Merk doing the damage from the leadoff spot with a home run the bounced off the top of the left field fence. The Raiders tacked on two more for a 3-0 lead.
However, after a scoreless first inning, the Eagles offense got in gear. Edgewood College scored in every remaining inning. Andrew King delivered a two-run single in the third to tie the game at three, and Jimy Landwher stroked a two-run single of his own in the fourth to give Edgewood College a 5-3 lead.
However, MSOE (10-18, 5-7 NAC) answered with runs in the fifth and sixth innings, setting the stage for the Eagles to deliver a decisive blow with the score tied 7-7 in the seventh inning. In the seventh, Scott Ortega put the Eagles ahead for good with a picture perfect RBI drag bunt down the first base line. Then it was Landwehr's turn again, knocking a two-run single into left field. Tim Barry then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Steve Binder finished the five-run outburst with an RBI single up the middle.
James Bertakis started the game for the Eagles and lasted into the sixth inning, allowing four earned runs and seven hits while striking out two. Tony Ales replaced him and pitched one and one-third innings to earn his first collegiate win as a pitcher. Jason Towns threw the ninth inning to earn his second save of the season.
Binder topped the Eagles at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a pair of runs batted in. Landwehr, Ortega, Ryan Walker and Treye Dennison had two hits apiece, with Binder his fifth double of the season. Landwehr tallied a season-high four RBIs in the game.
In the nightcap, sophomore pitcher Miles Mayer fired his first career complete game, holding the Raiders to one earned run on seven hits, while striking out two batters. In the fifth, Mayer escaped a bases loaded jam with one out and one run already in by inducing Emery Hull into a rally killing double play ground ball.
The Eagles led 1-0 when they blew the game open in the third inning. Edgewood College scored five of their six runs after two were out. Walker and Erik Massey both notched two-run singles in that inning, while Barry added an RBI double and Ortega an RBI single.
The Eagles added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, both as a result of RBI triples. The first was delivered by Dennison and the second by Seth Astroth.
Walker finished the game 2-for-4 with three runs batted in. Barry and Mike Selvaggi also had two hits each. Landwehr had just one hit, but it was enough to extend his career-long hitting streak to 16 consecutive games.
Edgewood College will visit UW-Stevens Point for a Wednesday doubleheader before returning to Northern Athletics Conference action on Saturday when they host Marian University at Stampfl Field. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.
