May 9, 2003

WATERLOO, IOWA . . .

Game 3 - #4 Loras 5 vs. #3 Simpson 1 (completion of suspended game)
In the completion of Thursday’s suspended game, Loras defeated Simpson 5-1 after leading 2-0 through four innings at the time of the suspension. Senior Jason Kuffel improved to 3-3 on the season pitching five innings of four-hit relief. He surrendered one unearned run and did not walk a batter while striking out four. Loras scored three runs in the final two innings to seal the victory. Junior right fielder Tom Andrews and sophomore center fielder Chet Medinger had two hits apiece while Andrews and freshman designated hitter Matt Mausser each drove in two runs for the Duhawks who improved to 25-15 overall, 11-8 in the IIAC.

Five players each had one hit for Simpson, which fell to 22-18 overall and 10-8 in the IIAC. The Storm scored its lone run in the eighth inning when senior third baseman Scott Sibbel singled to left field and eventually scored when junior first baseman Brett Murphy reached on an error by third baseman Kory Tuescher. Sophomore Shawn Parker started and suffered the loss giving up two runs on five hits in four innings. Junior J.D. Hews pitched the final five innings allowing three runs on five hits.

Game 4 – #6 Buena Vista 7 vs. #5 Dubuque 3 (Dubuque eliminated)
Buena Vista improved to 15-23 overall and 9-9 in the IIAC, and staved off elimination with a 7-3 victory over Dubuque, eliminating the Spartans. Freshman Ryan Brock (4-3) pitched a complete game seven-hitter and struck out nine batters in the victory. Offensively, the Beavers scored six runs on five hits in the first inning and never looked back. Freshman third baseman Matt Reichle went 3-for-4 and scored two runs while freshman first baseman Tom Murphy drove in three runs. Junior catcher Cory Kennedy and freshman second baseman Derek Fink both had two hits.

Dubuque threatened in the fourth inning, scoring three times on three hits to pull within three runs but could not get any closer. Junior center fielder Brian Loughren, freshman third baseman Cole Lyons and junior right fielder Tim Griffith all had RBI singles in the fourth. Starter Tim Kinney did not get out of the first inning, pitching two-thirds of an inning, allowing six runs and five hits. Sophomore Mike Kelley pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief and senior Chris Pauley pitched the final three innings, allowing one run on four hits.

Game 5 – #3 Simpson 10 vs. #1 Cornell 6
Simpson jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning and was able to hold Cornell off en route to a 10-6 victory. Cornell pulled within one at 6-5 after three innings but Simpson (23-18, 11-8) scored once in the fourth and three times in the sixth for the victory. Sophomore catcher Jon Clanton went 3-for-4, drove in two runs and scored twice. On the mound, junior Mike Donnenwerth started but did not figure in the decision. He went three innings, allowing five runs and eight hits. Junior Ben Ramsey picked up his first win of the season, pitching two innings of one-hit relief. Freshman Terry Beavers earned his second save with a two-inning, three-strikeout stint.

Cornell (26-14, 13-6) starter Matt Loptien did not survive the first inning, falling to 5-4 on the season after pitching two-thirds of an inning, allowing five runs, four walks and three hits. Senior third baseman Chet Knake had three hits while junior first baseman Paul John Zobeck drove in three runs with his 14th home run of the season in the third inning that pulled the Rams to within one run at 6-5.

Game 6 – #2 Wartburg 12 vs. #5 Loras 7
Wartburg scored five runs in both the fourth and fifth innings then held off a late Loras comeback attempt for the 12-7 victory. Sophomore second baseman Casey Toops went 2-for-3, drove in three runs, scored three times and walked twice for Wartburg. Senior left fielder Ryan Mix went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, freshman Brian Greiner was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and senior short stop Jay Whannel was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. On the mound, senior Chris Goerdt pitched six innings to improve to 7-0 on the season. He allowed six runs and 10 hits while striking out three. Junior Steve Domino pitched the seventh inning. Wartburg (30-10-1, 12-6) was helped defensively by four double plays.

Loras (25-16, 11-9) scored seven runs in the final two innings but it was too little too late. Junior right fielder Tom Andrews went 2-for-3 with two RBI on the day and extended his hit streak to 17 games. Freshman second baseman Bobby Bibeau also drove in two runs. Sophomore center fielder Chet Medinger scored twice and went 2-for-3. On the mound, senior Kevin Corkery went 4.1 innings allowing 12 hits and 10 runs (6 earned) but was hurt by his team’s defense that committed six errors. Corkery fell to 3-1 on the season. Junior David Fischer (two-thirds of an inning) and senior Pete Bonifas (1 inning) pitched in relief.

Game 7 – #1 Cornell 9 vs. #4 Loras 8 (9 innings) (Loras eliminated)
Cornell fought back from two three-run deficits to win 9-8 in nine innings. Trailing 5-3 in the seventh inning junior designated hitter Nate Eichmeyer hit a two-out two run double. After a scoreless eighth inning. Loras scored three time in the top of the ninth on an RBI double from junior right fielder Tom Andrews and a two-run single from freshman Ryan Bender.

Senior Pete Bonifas got the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth then hit sophomore designated hitter Ricky Legree and gave up a single to junior first baseman Paul John Zobeck. Junior right fielder Drew Simonis then hit a three run home run to left-center field to tie the game. Junior Justin Mashburn walked and freshman Matt Mausser came in to relieve Bonifas. Sophomore Adam Hadenfeldt singled bringing up senior Pat Block. Block grounded a ball off the Zobeck’s glove at first driving in Mashburn with the winning run.

Sophomore Ryan Williams picked up the win for Cornell who improved to 27-14 overall, 14-6 IIAC. Bonifas suffered the loss for Loras who fell to 25-17 overall, 11-10 IIAC.

Saturday’s Schedule:
In the 10:00 a.m. game, #3 Simpson plays #6 Buena Vista. The 1:00 p.m. game features #1 Cornell and #2 Wartburg. The winners from those games will play at 4:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m., if necessary.

Any changes/delays to the schedule necessitated by the impending inclement weather will be posted on the Iowa Conference web site.

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