VERONA, Wis. – The Edgewood College baseball team couldn't have ordered a confidence booster at a better time. After two disappointing losses yesterday, the Eagles got back on the winning track Wednesday night with a 10-7 non-conference victory over UW-Platteville. Steven Gavin pitched a complete game to help the Eagles snap a four-game losing streak.
The game was a back-and-forth affair as both teams held at least a three-run lead at some point of the contest. Garrett Bogucki gave the Eagles a first inning lead with an RBI double that scored Jonathan Roehler, but UW-Platteville (18-18) scored one in the second and three more in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Callen Gavic brought home a run with a groundout, and Nik Visone caught the Pioneers napping with a two-out RBI bunt single to bring the Eagles within 4-3.
Edgewood College (14-20) regained the lead in the sixth inning. Jacob Yellovich walked to open the inning, and Jeff Tucker followed with a single to right. The Pioneers attempt to throw out Yellovich at third base, but the throw went wild and under the fence, granting Yellovich home plate. Alex Fowler hammered the next pitch back up the middle to score Tucker and the Eagles had a 5-4 lead. After Fowler stole second and moved to third on another Pioneer error, Gavic delivered and RBI single for a 6-4 Edgewood College lead.
UW-Platteville tied the game again 6-6 in the top of the seventh inning on a Tanner Galeazzi RBI double and a sacrifice fly for Evan Greco. But after the seventh inning stretch, the Eagles put the game out of reach with four runs. After a Tim Nunn walk and a flyout to start the inning, the next six Edgewood College batters all reached base, five them on base hits. Tucker doubled home a run, while Gavic, Brodie Engel and Andrew Lauritzen all had RBI singles to put the Eagles ahead 10-6.
The Pioneers picked a run on a double play ground ball in the eighth, but Gavin would allow them to get no closer. The sophomore improved to 2-1 on the season by throwing his third career complete game, allowing five earned runs and striking out a career-high eight batters.
At the plate, Gavic went 2-for-4 on the night with a team-high three runs batted in. Tucker and Fowler each had two hits, including a double, while Lauritzen also had a pair of base hits. The win avenged an early 15-2 loss to UW-Platteville on the road.
Edgewood College's attention turns back to their final NACC doubleheader of the season. The Eagles play at Concordia University Wisconsin, and still control their own postseason fate. Two wins over the Falcons would put the Eagles in the NACC Tournament for the third consecutive season. A split with CUW would force the Eagles to watch the out-of-town scoreboard and hope to catch a break from somewhere else in the league. Saturday's doubleheader starts at 12:00 p.m. at Kapco Park in Mequon.
